
Glass. 
Book. 



Mil 

■Cg u 






I'lcri :rbs()i IK 



CLARKSVILLE, 



PA^T H1),D Pl^E.t^Kl)/r 



A IIIMOKV Ol- TIIH CITY Ol- HILLS. 



•.]ns, Tobacco Interests, Mercantile Pursuits and 
Manutact ries, Together with Biographical Sketche':, af 
its Earlv =" ' T^^^^^-^nX Citizens, 



ILLUSTRMTED. 

1BB7. 

W. P. TITUS. 



PREFACE. 



In |ircscniinn I'u i iKKS(.it> C'i.akk^vm.i.k to the |(ulili< I dcsiru lo return I- 

K. Jii.lgc C. \\. Tylfr. M. H. Clark. Polk C. Johnson, Hon. John K. Hoiis. | 

l'.n\on. M. \'. Ingram .intl others, who have rontributed invaluable artides hir. i 

lained. 1 suliniii the work upon its own merit, for it treats wholly u|H)n the i ^^ 
pre'.ent city of Clarksville. and is exclusively a home liook. • 

Res|>e< ifully. 

W. I', I 111 . 



P.O. .. . 

raaoti 



TABLK OK CONTENTS. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Aii.l.ix.ii, \V. |{. 
Mailcv, Hull. .limit's Iv 
liaili-v, Cliarlo H. 
liail.-v, MajiprCliarli- 
ISailcy, l»r. ( '. W. 
Ka|)Ii-t (luircli 
l{.iUirii(.iit, Ucv. 11. 1". 
UcaiiiiKint, St(Tliii;r '■"• 
Hell, t;ilm.T M. - 
151. ich liiutlici-, 
lUi.-kiuT. \V. riaiik - 
lUiriicv, Kdl.ci-t II. 
Uriii^'limvt. \V. K.. .Ir. 
Caidwcll, Saiiiiifl .\. 
Central Udlcr Mills - 
t'cntral WanliDUsc - 
Clarksvillc Cliriiniclc • 



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Clarksvillc llf<l>r*' Ffiu-c Co. 
Clarksvillc Fcmalf Academy 
I'hirksvjlli- I<f Factory 
Court House, Present 
Clarksvillc I'laiiiii^' .Mill - 
Clark. I,. H.- 
Clark, M. H. . - - 
Coulter, .lolm n. 
Coulter'- Tolpaeco Furnai'c - 
Col.li, .loshua - 
("out-, .lolm F. 
Coleman, M. M. - - - (;.-|7 
Crouch, .lack - - •!•">'•• 
Crusman, Colonel Cornelius - lilti 
Crusman, .1. .1. - - !'>-'• 
Crouch, William II. :t.".!» 
Drane, l»r. Walter II. - - \x\ 
Ihiniel, Hon. W. M - - Ml 
Kowanls, .J. T. - - - •«•! 
Kly, W. J. ... - ;!.t!l 
K(:an. Ca|itain IJen !•". - •!!" 
LUh-r'-openi lloii-e - ■•!«" 
M<-|iliaiil WarehouM' - - :U<1 
1- |>i-co|ial < liurch - - - '- 
Kvcr!.'recn l,ml;,'e - - -><l 
Faxon, Charles (). - - - -V<l 
Faxon, .lohn W. - - - -'Vl 
liirm.T-A- MerchanI- Nat. Uank -J.".:! 
Fox, F. I-. - . - :«»:{ 



Freeh, Henry - 
(iohl, 15. K. - - 

(ioUl, Lewis T. 
(iracey, Captain F. 1*. 
(Jracey, Matt - 
(iracey House 
({ran^^' Warehouse - 
(Menn, .lames 1.. - 
< iraiit, .lames .V. 
(iaucliat, h. - 
Hall, .\. K. A- Son, - 
Howard, F. - - - 

llainlMUt;li, F. C. - 
IliMiiliauti'li, .lohn C. - 
llanmn-., Cliarles U. 
Hani'oek, 'I'liomas U. - 
I lerndon, Thomas, 
Heurv, (iu>lavus .\. - 
llous'e, Hon. .lolm F. 
Holmes. Dr. William I. 
llodtrson, Samuel - 
Hume, W. 1'. 
Howell, A. 
Hurst, .lolm iV Co., 
Iluiuiihreys, Uoliert W. - 
liw in, ( ieorji'e S. - - 
.lohii-on, ( 'ave 
.lolm-on, .lames Hickman 
.Jolm-on, 'Ihomas Dickson 
.lohii-on. Folk (inmdy - 
Kennedy, Hon. 1). N. 
Ken. Iriek, .lames C. 
Kee-ee, Hell ( ». - 
Keesee, .1. W. 
Kincaiinon, Havid 
Llelier, I'hili)), -tore 
Lockert, i;ii - 
hockert, C 1,. - 
Lurlori, Hon. Horace H. 
Luckitt, T. H. 
Macrae, H. W. 
.Major. Thomas 1'. - 
.Mc'Caulev, l»r. C i:. F. 
McCnlloch, H. i;. - 
McCinty, llwinir 1'. 
.Mc( oru'iac, W.J. - 



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.■Sliniri'r, |{i-\ . .1. 1! 




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Merrill. II. ( '. 


2U, 


.SIhII.v. I«juii- II. 




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M.rMl.v. I{. |i. 


.-Mil 


Sliiiw . .Iiijiii W. 




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M.M.n-.'.l. It. - 


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."'iiiilli, .laiiir> II. 




tm 


MinilonI, Hon. Arlliin II. 


•-I..". 


Smith, ■riii.iiiii.- II. 




:t!il 


Nil.lill, .1 Sl.rliiii; 


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.S<Mltll\\<--l<Tll I'n--. Iiiivi 


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Nc.rlliiiitrl M. ( . 


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.St. wart, I'n.r. Win M. 




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NnrlliiTii Itiiiik iil"rciiiii-»"<i' - 


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.stfwarl, .SiiiiiK-l |{. 




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Stfwurt, Mrvi-i- 




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|'iHi|>l<-'> \Viiri'lii>ii-i' 


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■lli.iiiiii-, |{.".lM-ri W . 




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I'l-llll-. .lollll II. 


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'I'liliarro I'At'liailu')' 




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l*llllltfr'» \\';ircllnll-. 


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Triiiilv < hiinli 




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Itil-f, 1 lull. .1; ■« 1 


17 


Walk.r, It. II. 




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IC.«uli, U. W . 


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U l.illl.l.l. K. It. 




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U.Mi.li, l{. r. 


■vs: 


WIN (i. |{. 




:ll.ii 


Sivajfc, .M. • 


:IIM 


\V.M«|. .\.S. 




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Siir-, \U-\. .\. \>. 


■VI 


U .K«|, .lam.- T. 




ll:t 


■^•ji?^, Mr-. A. 1». 


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ixi)b:x 



.\l>l)<)tt, Florence V. 
Ailains, .loliii - 
Ahvanl A .lairell, 
Allen, Natlianiel II.H-kct 
Ann<triin'„', Martin 
A-kew, Lanrin M. - 
Aniler-^on, W. 15. 

Kailev. lion. .lanii-~ K. - 
liiiileV, Cliarle- II. 
Mailev, Cliaile- I ». - 
Mailev. Dr. < . W 
IJailey, Major Charie- - 
Maili'V Warehouse, 
Mank'in-r in IM^ 
Mank- and iiankin},^ 
Mranc-li Hank ol'Tennessei 
IJiUik of .\nierica 
lia|.ti-.t ClnnTh 
Marker. Kieliard II. 
Harksilale A' Clieatliani - 
I5;irks(lal ■, T. \V. 
|{«-aeli, Dr. II. K. 
heaeh, W. K. 
lii-auinoiit, i'ayne iV Co. - 



I' 
l\ 
\V. 



Meiiuniont, Itev. II 
Meiiinnont, .'-iterlini 
lieaninont, 'I'lioina 
|{e||,.l. K. 
M<-ll, <iiliner .M. - 
|;|<kIi Itrotlier-. 
Itourne. 'riioiiia> - 
ISoillin..loM'|.li A. - 
Mow lin;:, .lame- .M . 
Mow iin-.', Dr. < ieorue > 
MoVfl. (;eor«:e C. 
Mroa<l.lu-, W. A- .1. K. 
Mroa.ldii-. I{. S. - 
Mnniilon A.MarkxIale 
Mrow n, .lo~lnia 
MrinK'liiir^t, W. |{., Sr 
Mriii>;liur^t, \V. {{., .Ir 
Mniilley, .lolin 1). 
Itrown, William I.. 
Iturney, lioliert II. 
Ituekner, W. I'r.irik 
Mnrton, Williatn II. 
Mnrnel, I'l'ter 



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■nl)aniss. Dr. T. K. - - - 42:. 

aldwell A \'ance - - Kil 

aMwcli. .Sainnel .\. - 2S2 

•ahlwell A l,ainl - Us 

:i~tncr. Dr. W'il.-oa .1. - - 27s 

ainplpclj, .lohn - - 2.-. 

'entral W'anlionse - - :!47 

•eiitral Itoll.'r .Mills - .Mil 

'Iwalliani, .\. - - - 14s 

liri^tian ( linrcli - - - 71 

'lia>e, l.ucien !>.--- 2!t 

'herry, Cliarle- - - . n 

■ity Cemetery - - - !I4 

'laVk^ville Dei rat - - I:!.') 

iark-ville 'I'oliaeeo I.eaC - lis 

lark-ville Chronicle • - lit;! 

■|ark~villc lledj;,. Fence Co. - 117 

'lark>ville Male .\cademy - 17n 

'lark>\ille l''emale .\cadem\- lil'.i 

•|ark-\ ille Wharf Imilt |."il 

larksville Nati >nal Mank - 211 

'lark-vide I'ire ami Dile Ins. Co. -27 

•|ark>ville liihie Societv - 221 

•jark-ville Ice Factory' - ■■•,'X, 

lark<ville lioys of iscd - - !i7 

lark-ville I'lanintr Mill - 4()!» 

'lark-ville \\ arel >e - :!(i(i 

'lark, .M. II. - - .-Ul 

larU, I.. I{. .Ml 

lark, K. .M. . . - inii 

layton, .\le.\.inder .M . - - |;i 

'onri I lonse, l-'irst - |."i 

'omM I louse, I'resent 'si; 

onlter, W. F. - - - li; 

•onller, .lohn M. - - li'i' 

•ooper. Dr. ( . I!. - km; 

'ohl., .lodnia - - - . ■>(i7 

'ooke, (i. K. - - - ;!7S 

'..oke, C. I,. - - - . :(7K 

■(int.-, .lohn I-". - - •>s:i 

'oleman, .M. M. ... c.-,; 

'ovinj.don, .\. .M. . ||o 

'onlederat<- ( (rplian A-vlnm 7(1 

'ook. Will .\. - 17 

rn-nian, Colonel Cornelin- 2Hi 

rii.-man, .1. .1. - .i-jw 

'roui-li, William 1 1. ;iri<( 

'ronch, .lack -.i:,;) 

•rnlcher, William - - - |j 

'minint:ham Itro-. . |n7 

'nniiin;.diam, .lohn I'. . - |n7 



I ) 

Uniur. I»r. NVallir II. - IM 

Diiii.l. Moil. \V. M. :tll 

haiii.l, r..i<s. un 

l».il.ii.v, IV.mk S. 

hilly, UlilmnI In 

li.irhy. I'atriik lliiirv IT 

|l<iiii-lxiii, < 'a|i|jilii .IdIiii - '.I 

Doiiiilio. Dr. I' I DM- 

iMiki-. .Inliii I.Vt 



l-jirly Sti-.tiitlHKitiii;; 


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Karlv 'ri(l«iiii> lll<t<irv 


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Klv, \V..I. 


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Kiv. K. 11. 


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KM.T, .laiii.^ - 


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KMiT Hn.tli.r. - 


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Kl l.r, .InhiiS. 


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Kli|>liaiit Wan-limi-c - 


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h'>t il>lHliiiii-tit <>r M<>nt<;i>iii'y < 


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i:vi'ivrc<'ii Uiilirc 


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Kaxiiii. riiarlo O. - - -JTlt 

Kaxnii, .liihii NV. - - iVI 

l-'ariiicT~ A Mfn-liaiit« Nat. Itank iVl 
17:1 
I.Vl 
l-Vl 
1*74 
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lit; 
2ii 
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Fir-I l-'r<-<- S-hiMil » »|H'iic<l 

I'ir-t Markit llc.ii*.- 

I'ir«t Mriil^'.' ovir |{>'<l Itlvrr 

Kir-l «;r.(\i- in <'ity (■(•mctrry 

Fir-t lliai^r in ( 'lark>villi- - 

Kir-t TiiliaiTii hi^|H'<-tiiin 

Kir-l ( "oiirl llmiM' 

Kir«l 'I'aviTii in (iark-vlllc 

I'ir^t Stic 111' 'I'liw n I, Ills 

l-'ir*! 'rcni|Mninr<' Miiv<'nii-iit 

I'iivt National Itiink - 

l''ii-i|iTlint:. Knink 

l-'iflii'tli Ti'inn-^M-*' liiraiitrv 

K.iwlir'- Hall - - - - 

Kowlki-, .1. .M. 

Fox A Smith. - 

Fnx, K. K. - 

F<>iirt<fntli Tcnni'H'M'^' hiCaulry 

Forty-S •<-unil 'rcnni-s-ii' Infantry i:tl 

Fiiiiy-Nintli 'riMHifH-icc Infantry ll<i 

Frii- Fiirlii- in tlark-vlllf ■ Dil 

Franklin Ifaink - - - Jls 

Franklin lloii-^', KM 

Fni-li, lli-nrv - '■'•1'' 

FraxT, William I. :t;ts 



c; 

• iarnitt, .1. .1. - - - - 4.- 

(iailir.iitli. tn.niwi'll .V fo. - I'T 
(iaiiiliat. I.. ... .•!:• 

tiaitlit-r, llonn-c - • -'" 

(iarlanil, U.S.- - - - :; 

ti.rliart. .N. V. A- S.n-, •tl'.T 
«ili..|^..n. .\. U. ... :t77 

tiill. .Iain«- I'. - ■ - •Kkt 

• Jill. |{.n F. - ■^'>\ 
(ili.k, Kliiu- - 111 

• il<-nn, .laini-- I-. y'-'' 
(J.H.-ir.-.-, It. .1. - «-tl 

(i.MMll.tt. .\. <i Jl** 

(;..l<l, n. K. :t44 

(i..l.l, l^wi- T - ;14'> 

liraicv, faptain F. I'. - 4<f.' 

(Jrarcy. Matt - - - 4<M 

<inu-«'y lion-*' - - - :i"J!t 

tinmjri' Wai^'lioti**' - - •Kl- 

tin-cnwiHMl t't-niftiTy - Mi 

<ir.-.-nli<lil, ThcMipxMi - - l'>4 

(ir.-<ntl Id. Croniwcll A <<.. I'.l 

I iraiit, .lann- .\. -"- 

I I 

llarri-. .Mln-.! M. i- 

llal.. .la.k ... - i.:-: 

II irn-jl, (iiiirm- - i'l 
ll.mlin, It. F. A Ci.. Ill 
Mall. .\. H. A .Son. - - - 41.-. 
Ilarvic. TlioMia.- I-. ■ - :«.'.7 
llanilianu'li, I*. C. - - - ilo 
llaiiiliaii'.'li, .lolin ( '. :t.'i«> 
Halluni-, Cliarl.- K. - «J.'. 
Ilan<-.«k. Thi.ina- It. - -tis 
Hart, .lolin S. - .-JIA 
Hart A Kriniolv, :i7>» 
llarri-. Dr. I. if. - HM! 
Ilarri-iin A Diipin, - - 4;H 
H.TiKloin, Thoina.-. :t:i:< 
ll.nrv. <iii-tavns .\. - :«; 
ll.\\lin_'. Frclrriik \V. - - iJ 
Hinry. I'atriik - Is 
HitKlrirk. <;<-<>rK'<' W. - .■|7n 
Hinton, .s.iimu'l. - l"il' 
His •. .lii-<-|ili - ■J4 
lloA.rlnii A Matnif, - J.tl 
H .r-r lljuin;: in tin- Tliirtli> - |.> 
Hon-.'. |{..i..rt .M. A f... |.V, 
II. .M-.-. lliMi. .I(.lin F. - .!■■>- 
Il..|tn.-. Dr. William I. L'7i' 
H.Klir-on. .Sjiinuil - - - .UW 
lloL'- 'n, Frank T. - - i'i«i 
llc.xs.ll. .V. .... 24: 
llovvanl. K. - - iH 
Iliiriilx'rui'r, .1. <;- i"' 
IIUMK', W. I'. lill 
Ilur-t, .l..lin - •!74 
llur-t..l..liii A «u.. ;l7:t 
Hinnplircvs, iO)U'rt W. ;«• 



1 liiiii|>lircy>, llipii. I'lin-y W 
Hyiri;iti, 'riiiiriiii> 1 1. 



Irwin, ( Jcor-ri' S 


. 


Intriiini, M. \' 




I\ ii', .Idlm 






.1 


.liilin<iiri, < ':ivc, 


•iiiiiily - 


■l<>hii~<iii, ( 'avc 


- 


.lolin- iti, .liiiiics 


1 lickiii:ii 


.Iiiliiixm, Tin. Ill; 


- Dicksoi 


.loliii„>n. I'l.lk ( 


niiiilv - 


.lolms.ill, l{;,k.i- 


l>. ■- 


.lollllSllll, UlllltTl 


W . 


.Inlilisiin, Wiley 


Ii. 


.liillllsi.n, Sjiiidy 




.loliiison. Allcii 




.l«>-;liii. M. L. - 




.loM'i.h. .1. (;. 





Kilt/., Siiiioii 
KcmuHly, Moil. 1). N. 
Kt'iKJrick, .laiiics ('. 
KtHscc, Mcil (). 
K.cscc, .1. \V. 
Kiiijr, 'riiiiiiiji.-i W. 
Kinjr, lir. I,. \V. - 
Kiiicaiiiioii, Iiavid - 
Kirl.y, Patrick I". 
KiiiH Ic. llcrlicrt S. 
Klcciiian. William 

I. 

Lcillpcttcr. I{. 
I.iilxr, Philip 
Li;;()ii, < icurjrc A. 
L..ckcrt, Kli - 
Ldckcit, (• I,. - 
Lowe, \Va."^liiii}rtiiii 
LiK-aliuii orciark-^v 
Lurtuii, IImii. IIoijk 
I'lirton, Kiliiiuiiil |{( 
Liukctt, T. I). A- Co 
Liukctt, T. I). - 
Kiipton, K«v. .) \V, 



Major, Tlioma.x P- - 
Major, Scar!-', 

Masonic I'ciiialc liistitiiti- 
.Macrae, It. \V. - 
.Martin, Mortiini'r A. 
.McCaiil.v, Dr. (' K. L. 
McC|l||r,cl,, K. K. . 

Mi'Cliirc, (;allpraitli A- Co. 
McClun- A (iiilhniitli 
.Mc( lure, W. S. A U. \V. 



He 
e II. 



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McCllire, IIii;;li - l.",! 

McDaiiiel, l»r. ( ieurjic 27(i 

McFall, Smiiiel - - l.-|7 

.M((iintv, Kuin^r P. I!t4 

McCorniac, W. .1. - - - ;!(!!» 

McLean, C. I). - - ir.l 

Merritt, II. C. - - - 24(i 

Mcliijriiii, <'• - - - - Ki'i 

Melton, P. I». - - - - I I!) 

Methodist Kpiscopal Church (;."i 

Moore A Mroaddiis - - - l.Vi 

Moselev, K. D. - - - :{(il 

Moore. .1. S. - - - 4(lit 

Moor.., .1. 1). - - - :!77 

.Montjronier.v, .lohii - - | | 

Miinlord, ll'oii. .\rtliiir II. 2(i") 

Myrtle A Pettus - - - l.V. 

Nelil.-tt, Stephen - - - 1.-.2 

.\elilett, .1 Sterliiiir - - 202 

Norlhinuton, Samuel II. - l',.') 

Northiiijitoii, .M. C. - - :(28 
Northern Uaiik ol Teniies.see - 2:!(i 

Xorllett, l»r. P. F. - l.-.l 

() 

Oiical, PetiT . - - . is;! 

Oscrtoii, William - 24 

Owen A- Moore - - - .{77 

Owon, Moore A- Atkinson, - .■!77 



People's Warehoiist- - - ;W7 

Pettus, Stephen - - loo 

Pettiis, Tl las K. - - loo 

Pettus, .lolin II. - - .-Jol 

Foter, Paris - - - i.-,7 

Pcacher A Cald\v<4l, - l.",4 

V'pl 's, .Nathan - - - I is 

'ick 'riii;;- A Wilkerson, - 4(«; 
'Imter's Hank ofrenncssee - 2."!l 

'lanti-r's Warehouse - - ;i.Vi 

Population <ir the city in ls2(; I'.l 

*o|iiilatioii of the city in |s|(i lol 

'ov -rly How Named - |.'>2 

'oinih'xter, W. S. - - 24it 

'oinde.xtcr, (i. (i. - - - 2H 

'oston, John II. - - 274 

•oston, .lohn II. A |{. - - 148 

^resliyterian Church - - on 

•ulilii- .Schix.ls - - . - ;(K) 

<v> 

<iuarl(v, .lohn - - - :.'o 

<iuarles, Hon. W. \. - - in.", 

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Kairsdale, William K. - .Cts 

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W DsKS RF.NFRfiF. was Undoubtedly the first white mnn who ever undertook to 
U V 1 ^ pffret a settlement within the limits of what is now Montgomery county ; and 
if history speaks the truth, the first white man who, with his family, ever located in 
what is now known as Middle Tennessee. 

In the Fall of 1779, Col. James Robertson and a band of ])ioneers hatl marched 
through the wilderness from Watauga — upper East Tennessee — and taken possession 
of the French I.ick Springs, where Nashville now stands; but in their expedition was 
neither maid, wife, nor widow, chick nor child, but only stout hearted men able to 
swing the axe and aim the rifle. In December of the same year, a most remarkable 
expedition set out from Fort Patrick Henry, on the Holston River, in East Tennessee, 
destined for this new land of [jromise. That expedition was commanded by Ca])t. 
John Donelson, who kept a diary of the journey, or rather of the voyage. Several 
flat boats, filled with emigrants — men, women and children, and a few slaves — made 
the perilous attempt to reach the French Lick by water. They dropped down the 
Holston until they came to the Tennessee; then down the Tennessee for hundreds of 
miles until they reached the Ohio; then they pulled their boats — slow work it must 
have been — up the Ohio River to the mouth of the Cumberland, and then up the 
(^'iimherland to French I,ick, where they found Robertson and his band awaiting 
them. 

For more than two-thirds the entire distance they were compelled to |)ass through 
a country filled with hostile savages. Near where Chattanooga now stands — then an 
Indian village — they had a fight with the Indians, in which twenty-eight of their num- 
iier. mainly women and < hildren, were killed and scal|)ed. Their whole voyage was 
one of hardshi|)s almost inconceivable at the present day. They were more than tour 



month^ on ihc- way. and m-v.-.- >;»• a friendly fare in all tha: whili.-. At length, as the 
historian tells us, on the uth ilay of April. 1780, they 1 ame in their slow journey up 
the t'ufnlH-rland " to the in >u.h of a little river running; in on the Nc»rih side, l>y Moses 
Renfn)e and his company tailed K'.-d River, up which they intend to settle. Hen- 
they took leave of us.'" 

Moses Rcnfroe and his company then are, or were the original settlers of darks- 
ville. and, as the remainder of the ex|>edition did not reach the French Licks for 
iwelvo days af.er, for him may l)e fairly claimed the honor of having l)ecn the fir'>t 
white ma;i who with hi-> family ever set foot on the soil of .Middle Tennessee with the 
i.ttenti )n of locating. "His lompany" consisted, so far as we can learn, of two 
m.irrievi sjos wi:h their families, two unmarried daughters, and two men. Nathan and 
S:)|iim.in Turpin, who were in some way connected with the family of Renfroes. 

A IioLl un<ler;aking it was of old Moses, and stout hearts those girls of his must 
have possesse-.l when they landed alone here in the wilc^rness. six hundred miles from 
their old hom.- in North farolina. three hundre<l miles from the nearest white settle 
ments in Kas; 'lennessoe, and fifty miles from the little infant colony at Fren< h I.itk. 
wh'. re all the families that crossed the m;)untains that year eviep; his own estalilishe<l 
themselves. 

The old ma'i w.is tles;ined to pay <iearly for his hardihood. For a little while he 
seems to have remnined at or about the present locality of Clarksville: then going a 
few miles up Red River, he huilt a log house, called for years afterward Renfroe ^ 
S.a:iori. Within less than three months the little settlement was attacked by a party 
of t'hoctaw and (,"hi< kasaw Indians; Nathan Turpin an<l tme of the Renfroes were 
killed. 'I"he rest of the little band, mainly women and children, esi a|>ed in the night 
to French Lick. Soon after, strange to relate, most of them went ba< k to the little 
!fati m on Retl River for the purpose of bringing away any arti( les the Indians had not 
cirried off. Other persons from the Frem h Lick, even women and children, appear 
to have ac( ompanied them. The result of this fool-hardy expedition is soon told. Tin- 
|tarty hati can^ped all night at a spring a few miles off from the station on Red River. 
"In the morning, " the historian tells us, "Joseph Renfroe going to the spring was 
(i.-e.l .1: lid iistur.ly kill-il by the In lians. They then broke in u|Hin the camp and 
Uiil.vl oKl Mr. J.)!i:is and his wife and all his family. Only one woman. Mrs. Jonc-. 
esv-ap-d. Kleven or twelve others, there at the time of the attaik. were all killeii 
The Lutians taking |K>ssession of the horses and other pro|K-rty went nff towards tli' 
S .uth." 

To this ilistressful end came the venture of Moses Renfroe antl his little ban' 
He ^ave to Red River the name which it bears to-<lay . anil he and his sons, and h:> 
daughters, and his little grand-< hildrcn, were the first white |»eople who ever stood on 
the hills around Clarksville and called it home. 

Something more than a hundred years ago, The (.'umberlanil I'ountry had a won 
derful interest for the dwellers along the coast of North Carolina and the old settlers 
in Virginia. Hunters h.itl been through here. Daniel IVwne among ihcm, and even 
before the Inrginning of the Revolutionary war had carried ba< k wonderful tales of th. 



fertility of the soil, the Ueailty of the v.illeys iiui r )ini;i>i hiil~. the fish that filled the 
streams and the game that ahjuiuleJ in the woods. It was learned also that no Indian 
tribe had its fixed home here, though the Cherokees and other triheson the South, and 
the Shawnees on the Nonh, wandered over it as a hii iiing ground, and made it a 
liattle ground whenever they chanced to meet each other on their ex' iiisi )n-. 

One of our old citizens, Mr. James Ross, in .1 work wlii< h lie |)ulilisliid sc.ii.e 
time since, "'rhe Life and Times of Elder Reuben Ross," gi\es a i.mst inter"sting 
a( count of his own trip to this wonderful Cumberland in 1807, when h.- was a lad of 
half dozen years. .Although twenty-seven years had then elapsed fnmi the time when 
old Moses first set up housekeejiing on the banks of the Cumberland and Red Ri\er>. 
it shows that the interest in this wonderful land was still fresh in the minds of tin- 
jjeople in the old .States, aiui thai marxeloiis tales concering it must iia\e been alliiat 
even then : 

••The 6th of .May. 1807, was set for the 1 ommeiu emeiil of the j(nirne\. on whii h 
day all were to meet at a deserted Ejiiscoijal church in a |>ine forest a few miles West 
of Williamston, and there pitch their tents for the first time. Several other families 
had concluded to emigrate with us. .Among these was that of our nncle, Charles 
Cherry. In those early times, the emigrant that left Carolina or Virginia hardix 
expected ever again to see those from whom they parted, especially if somewhat 
advanced in years. The great distance, the intervening mountains and rivers, the 
difficult roads and the cruel savages that roamed in and around the new rountr\. for- 
bade the indulgence of this hope. They parted much as those d<i who pan at the 
grave." 

•■The children and the negroes that were along kejjt up our sjjirits prettv well by 
thinking and talking about Cumberland, the name of the beautiful new world we were 
t(j find at the end of our journey. We loved to hear the word pronounced, and when 
journeying on towards it, if a stranger asked us to what parts we were going, we 
answered proudly, 'To t'umberland. ' We always lost heart though a little when told 
there were no shad or herrings, chincopins, huckleberries, or jiine knots to kindle fires 
with, in all this beautiful country. The negroes made a serious matter of the pine 
knot cpiestion, and thought the lack of those a great draw back to any coiintr\, how 
ever blest in other respects — even on Cumberland itself" 

.As early as February, 1777, an old French trapjjer from New Orleans rec ited thai 
he found at Deacon's pond, on the Cumberland River, near where Palmyra now 
stands, an encampment of six white men and one white woman, who had made their 
way through to the upj)er waters of the Cumberland at the end of the i)receding year, 
and there built them a boat and floated down some four hundred miles to I'almyra and 
landed. What became of them afterwards tradition says not. It is certain they had 
all disappeared when the flotilla of Moses Renfroe came up the river in 1780; but 
whoever they were and wherever they came from, and whatever might have been their 
after fate, it is certain that this unknown lady with a thirst for adventure, who 
'•camped awhile in the wilderness" at I'almyra in 1777, is the first pale faced 
woman, so far as we have any aiiount, who e\ er set foot on the soil of .Middle 



Tennessee. She was, however, merely a sojourner, and came not like our Renfroe 
girls, to stay. 

.\l)out the same time, or a little earlier, in November, 1775, Manscoe, a famous 
hunter, and three others, camped a few weeks near where the Sulphur Fork Creek 
empties into Red River, where Port Royal now stands. Here Manscoe had an adven- 
ture with some Indians. Having discovered from their trail that a hunting party of 
some sort was in the vicinity, he went alone to ascertain if possible who they were. On 
the bank of the river he saw a camp fire, and creeping as close as he dared, he saw 
two Indians, whom he recognized to be of the Black Feet tribe. Manscoe was about 
to retire to carry the news to his comrades, when one of the Indians arose and came 
directly toward him. It being impossible to avoid him, Manscoe fired and the Indian 
wheeled and ran about fifty yards past his own camp-fire, and fell dead over the bluff 
into the ri\er. The other Indian also made packet time away from the fatal spot, not 
knowing, it may be supposed, how many were in the attacking party. Manscoe, not 
knowing how many Indians there were, and being some distance away from his com- 
panions, absconded as soon as he fired, and for awhile silence reigned supreme at 
Port Royal. In a few hours he returned with his companions, and finding that the 
fugitive Indian had also returned in the mean while and packed his worldly goods on 
his pony and left for parts unknown, they took out after him and followed his trail all 
that evening and the following day, but never caught him. Knowing that the Indians 
would soon be back in force to avenge the death of their comrade, Manscoe and his 
friends, as soon as they abandoned the chase, left the country. 

Terribly, however, was the death of this Indian afterwards avenged. .■Vs late as 
1794, ten years after Clarksville had been incorporated and named. Col. Isaac Tits- 
worth and his brother John, with their families, moved from North Carolina to the 
Cumberland Country. They intended to locate on Red River, and on the night of 
the 24th of October, 1794, they camped at the mouth of Sulphur Fork Creek, where 
the Indian had been shot by Manscoe. That night a party of fifty Creek Indians stole 
upon them and took them completely by surprise. Seven of the party, among them 
Col. Titsworth and his brother and their wives, were killed and scalped. A negro 
woman was wounded, but crawled off into the bushes and escaped. The Indians 
carried off six prisoners — a negro man, a white man, a grown daughter of Colonel 
Titsworth's, and three little children. In a tew hours a party of white men were 
organized and on their track, and the Indians, says Haywood, "discovering their 
approach, tomahawked the three children and scalped them, taking off the whole 
skins of their heads. The white man and the negro fellow they either killed or carried 
off, together with the daughter." 

In 1785, down on the waters of Blooming Grove Creek in this county, three 
men had a fight with Indians. The men — Peter Burnet, David Steele and William 
Crutcher — were out hunting, and unexpectedly came upon a roving band of Indians, 
about twenty in number. There was no escape for the white men, and they had 
nothing to do but to sell their lives dearly. A desperate fight ensued. How many 
Indians were killed was never known. Barnet and Steele were both killed, and 



Crutclier was shot and fell to the ground. An Indian came up to him and he feigned 
death. The Indian scalped him and then stuck his knife in him and went away, 
leaving the knife still sticking in him. After they were all gone, Crutcher arose and 
crawled down to the creek and laid down, as he said, in the water to die. Here he 
was soon after found, and strange to say, he recovered from his wounds. 

While these stirring times were going on around C'larksville, a most remarkable 
man had taken up his abode here. It was Col. Valentine Sevier, a brother of the 
famous (iovernor John Sevier. Some time ])rior to 1770, we can not get the exact 
date. Col. Sevier with his four sons. Robert, William, Valentine and Jose|)h, had 
moved to Cumlierland and established himself at the mouth of Red Ri\er. He built 
a fort or station house within the present limits of the town of Clarksville. The town 
had been already incorporated by an act of the North Carolina Legislature, and most 
of the land in the neighborhood had been entered by spectdators. A general Indian 
war, however, had broken out. Clarksville was a frontier village, and its few inhabit- 
ants had nestled under the protection of Col. Sevier. Up and down the Cumberland 
there were straggling settlers, and Col. Sevier undertook as far as he could to protect 
them. He sent out several detachments in boats to bring in information concerning 
the movements of the enemy and to assist unprotected families in the country in case 
assistance shoidd be needed. These scouting parties would consist generally of from 
half dozen to a dozen men, and books might be written of their adventures with the 
Indians in the very locality in which we are now living. It is hard for us to realize 
the hardships and dangers which our ancesters encountered, less than a hundred years 
ago, in settling the country where perfect peace and security now reigns. Along the 
beautiful banks of the Cumberland, not far from Clarksville, the yell of the savage at 
midnight has struck terror to the hearts of anxious mothers ; little children have been 
tomahawked and scalped, and peaceful homes have been given to the flames. The 
men who went out from Clarksville on these scouting expeditions literally took their 
lives in their own hands. Some idea of the dangers to be encountered may be obtained 
when we say that three of Col. Sevier's sons lost their lives in these expeditions. 
Prom Haywood's old history we copy an account of the killing of these youths: 

"On Monday, the 19th of January, the Indians killed Robert Sevier and William 
Sevier, sons of Valentine Sevier, who lived at the mouth of Red River, near the 
present site of Clarksville. They had gone to the relief of the distressed families on 
the Cumberland River, who had sent an express for assistance, but the officers of 
Tennessee county could give none; The two sons of Colonel Sevier were in the front 
boat, and discovered the enemy, but mistook them for their own party, the Indians 
having been seen late in the evening at a considerable distance from that place. 
Robert Sevier hailed them, and one among them answered they were friends, and the 
Indians carelessly began to chop with their hatchets until the boat was very near them, 
when they fired and William Sevier was instantly killed and fell over into the river ; 
Robert was wounded and was captured by the Indians and tomahawked and scalped. 
On the 1 6th of the same month Valentine, a third son of this unfortunate parent, also 
fell by the hand of the savages. He was in a boat ascending the river, and was fired 



upon and fell dead in it; two others were wounded and one of them. John Ri e, died. 
Until Valentine was wounded he and two others kept up so lirisk a tire that they 
intimidated the Indians and saved the crew. Deprived of all his sons who had come 
w ith him to Cumberland, the afflicted parent wrote to his brother, ("reneral Sevier, to 
to send to liim his son John to come and see him ; as, said he in the moving language 
ofsufTering innocence, I ha\e no other sons but small ones." 

.\s late as 1794 Clarksville was attacked by Indians. Colonel .Sevier himself gave 
an account of it in a letter written to his brother, (iovernor Se\-ier, whic h we copy 
entire ; 

Ci..\RKSViLi,t';, December i8th. 1794. 

Dear Brother: The news from this place is desperate wiih me. On Tuesday, nth 
of November last, about twelve o'clock, my station was attacked by about forty 
Indians. t)n so sudden a surprise, they were in almost every house before they were 
discovered. .\\\ the men belonging to the station were out, only W'm. Snider and 
myself. Wm. Snider, Betsey his Wife, his son John, and my son Joseph, were killed 
in Snider's house. I saved Snider so the Indians did not get his scalp, but shot and 
tomahawked him in a barberous manner. They also killed Ann King and her son 
lames, and scalped my daughter Rebecca. I hope she will still recover. The Indians 
have killed whole families about here this Fall. You may hear the cries of some per- 
sons for their friends daily. 

The engagement commenced at my house, continued about an hour, as the neigh- 
bors say. Such a scene no man ever witnessed before. Nothing but screams and 
roaring of guns, and no man to assist me for some time. The Indians have robbed 
all the goods out of every house, and have destroyed all my stock. You will write 
our ancient father this horrid news; also my son Johnny. My health is much im- 
p.iired. The remains of my famil\- are in good health. I am so distressed in my mind 
that I can scarcely write. 

Your affectionate brother, till death, 

Valkntink Sevikr. 

The fourth son of Colonel Sevier was killed in this engagement, as is seen from 
his letter. No wonder the old man's heart was broken. Whether his daughter Re- 
becca ever recovered from the fearful treatment she received at the hands of the 
M **^ Indians we cannot say. For five years the dwellers in Cumberland had lived in con- 
^ stant an.\iety; but this engagement at Clarksville was one of the last struggles with the 

Indians in Middle Tennessee. Soon after a general peace was concluded, the country 
settled rapidly, a militia was organized, and gradually the hostile Indians were removed 
by the general government to reservations set apart for them. 

Clarksville, as you may see from any map of Tennessee, is situated on the East 
bank of the Cumberland, just above the mouth of Red River. It was the Judicious 
eye of John Montgomery that first discovered in the rugged hills that lie in the fork 
of these two streams, a superior site for the location of a town. At that time it lay 
beyond the most Western settlements in the Cumberland Valley. Rut it had the 



15 
.ilvantages of two rivers, good landings, and, what was then indispensible, a gushing 
spring of pure water, and these were sufficient to tempt the pioneer to it. 

In lanuary, 1784, John Montgomery and Martin Armstrong entered the tract of 
Imd on which Clarksville is located. Armstrong laid off the plan of a town upon it. 
Thev named the town Clarksville, in honor of General George Rogers Clark, a distin- 
guished soldier of that day, who was personally known to many of the early settlers 
of Tennessee and Kentucky. Montgomery located in Clarksville. After the town 
Irul been laid off, the proprietors sold a considerable number of lots, and the purchasers 
being desirous that the town should be established by legislative authority, in Novem- 
ber, 1785, the Geieral Assembly of North Carolina established it a town and a to-ivii 
iO,iimoiu agreeable to the plan by the name of Clarksville. What became of the town 
common does not appear. It was the second town established in Middle Tennessee, 
Nashville, established in 1784, being the first. The Commissioners appointed were 
John M >ntg3mery, .\nthony Crutcher, William Folk, Anthony Bledsoe, and Gardner 
Clark. Chrksville grew apace, not so ra|)idly as the magical cities of the West, in 
this age of steam and electricity, but still it grew steadily, maintaining all along, as it 
does to-day, its position as the second city in Middle Tennessee. 

In 178S a to'.)acco inspection was established at Clarksville. This was by an act 
nf the (General Assembly of North Carolina, and was the first tobacco inspection estab- 
lished in Tennessee. The fact is only remarkable as showing how early the cultivation 
of tolji'-rj ctme 10 be an important industry around Clarksville, and as marking the 
i icep;i Jii of a tob.-.c: j market, which may be claimed with justice to be second in the 
UniieJ S-.ates. 

In this year also, the county of Tennessee — the original name for Montgomery 
c3un;y— was established. The first session of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session 
w?.s hell at the house of Isaac Titsworth, the second at that of William Clrimbs, the 
third and all subsequent sessions were held in the town of Clarksville. A rude log 
Court House was erected on the Public Square with the most primitive conveniences j 
indeed, we do not know that it had so much as seats for the jurors to sit on, until 1793, 
when the court ordered James Adams to make them. 

The first Court House continued to be u.sed until 181 1. On the 21st day of 
January of that year the County Court "adjourned to the new lirick building erected 
by Cajnain C. Duvall, upon the Public Scpiare," and the material of the old building 
was soon afterwards sold and removed. They were proud of this "new brick build- 
ing," which was a ]jretentious structure for its time. It had a stone foundation with 
brick siqjerstructure, was 44 feet square from ouT to out, and two stories high. The 
lower floor consisted of one room, 40 feet square and iS feet high from floor to ceiling, 
while the upper 'story had 5 rooms 12 feet high. The roof had four sides, "approach- 
ing each other toward the top." This continued to be the Court House till 1843, 
when it was sold to John D. Everett, and the new Court House on Poverty Row was 
cjccupied. 

From an interesting address to the Clarksville bar, delivered by Hon. Gustavus 
A. Henry, on the 4th of July, 1877, we copy some extracts, giving reminiscences of 



i6 
l)rominent attorneys who used to hold forth in this old Court House, and in the one 
oi Poverty Row, which took its place in 1843: 

From 1814 to 181 7, the Hon. Bennett W. Searcy was the Circuit Judge of this 
Judicial District, and resided in Clarksville. He was succeeded by Alfred M. Harris, 
who continued till 1821, when the Hon. Parry \V. Humphreys became the Circuit 
Judge of this district, and continued to discharge the duties of the office till 1836. 
Parky W. Humphreys. 

la 1807, the Hon. Parry \V. Humphreys was one of the District or Superior 
luuges of the State. The court then consisted of four judges and was the court for 
the final decision of causes, and continued to act as such till 1810. when the Court of 
Errors and Appeals was established. Judge Humphreys was a member of the Congress 
of the United States from 1813 to 1815, a period that covered two years of the last 
war between the United States and Great Britain. Having filled the office of Judge 
of the Superior Court for three years, a representative in Congress for two years, he 
w^s afterwards appointed one of the Commissioners to settle the disputed line between 
the two sovereign States of Kentucky and Tennessee, and finally was Circuit Judge 
of this Judicial District for fifteen years. During the whole of this long term of public 
service as Superior Judge, Member of Congress, Commissioner to settle a controverted 
boundary line between sovereign States, and Circuit Judge, embracing a period of 
nearly thirty years, he gave perfect satisfaction to the country, and was distinguished 
for the justice, wisdom and purity of his conduct in all, and for the courtesy and 
urbanity of his deportment to the bar and every officer of the court. He was the 
father of Judge West H. Humphreys, of Nashville, and of our own R. W. Humph- 
reys, of Clarksville. Few men in the State have held so many high offices, and so 
honorably discharged the duties pertaining to them, and left public life with a brighter 
escutcheon and a purer private character. 

James B. Reynolds, 
an Irishman by birth, who carried his heart in his hand, whose courtly manners gained 
him the sobriquet of Count Reynolds, was prominent among the early lawyers of the 
Clarksville bar. He was more, however, a politician than a lawyer, and soon became 
a suitor for the smiles of the people, and was elected to Congress as successor to Judge 
Humphreys from 1815 to 1817, and from 1823 to 1825. In 1825, when John Quincy 
.\dams was elected President by the vote of the House of Representatives, the Elec- 
toral College having failed to give a Constitutional majority to any one over all the 
candidates voted for, he cast his vote for (ieneral .\ndrew Jackson, and reflected 
thereby the will of his constituents rather than his own. He was a life-long friend of 
Henry Clay, whose elocjuence reminded him of the greatest of old Ireland's orators. 
His admiration of Mr. Clay was a drawback on his political preferment in Tennessee 
at a time when a strong rivalry prevailed between Clay and Jackson. He was prover- 
bially polite and courtly in his manners, which, if not perfecdy natural, had become so 
by long and habitual practice. After General Jackson's defeat in his first Presidential 
aspiration, he was invited to New Orleans by his political friends, and on his way 



17 
stopped at Clarksville to partake of a public dinner tendered him by the people. 
Count Reynolds presided as chairman, and sat at the head of the table, with General 
Jackson on his right. Before the festivities closed, but after wine had been intro- 
iluced, and the General had retired, the Hon. A. M. Clayton, recently from Virginia, 
offered as a toast, "The Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, the modern Ahithophel ; 
may his councils be turned into foolishness." The Count, whose glass was filled ready 
to be drank, and who felt what he had already taken, immediately emptied his glass 
U])on the floor, and said with emphasis : " Burn me if I drink that toast." The table 
was in great excitement and adjourned in confusion. 

W.M. L. Brown, Will A. Cook .-^nd Wm. B. Turley 
(the latter afterwards a Judge of the Supreme Court, and who delivered the opinion 
in the case of the State vs. Copeland, and others still more remarkable), were mem- 
bers of the Clarksville bar, and all laid the foundation of their reputation and useful- 
ness in the courts in Clarksville. The two first named moved to Nashville, and the 
latter to Memphis; and all immediately took rank among the first lawyers of Middle 
and West Tennessee. Brown and Cook were more famous at the bar as profound 
lawyers, skillful and able debaters, while Wm. B. Turley became one of the ablest 
judges who ever adorned the Supreme bench of Tennessee. 

Of Wm. L. Brown I know of personal knowledge but little. I saw him but once 
and that was after he left Clarksville for Nashville, and was in the Fall of 1825 or 
1826. He was a very delicate man, of flexible limbs, with sallow skin and black 
eyes. Eager in the pursuit of whatever engrossed his mind, and of very restless 
manners, and exceedingly impetuous in the argument of his causes; endowed with 
extraordinary eloquence, and very intolerant towards his opponents. He has more 
traditionary reputation than any man who ever appeared at this bar, and was the author 
of the Statute of Limitation of 1819. 

Wm. A. Cook was a safe and faithful lawyer, without any great learning outside 
of his ]jrofession, none of the attributes of an orator, except perhaps great earnestness 
in debate, which is perhaps as effective as the famous definition of Demosthenes of 
elo(iuence, action; and is as necessary to secure success in the courts, in Congress, or 
before the triliunal of the people. 

Patrick Henry Darby 

was at one time a citizen of Clarksville and a member of the Clarksville bar. He was 
a lawyer of fine t£ilents, and possessed great knowledge of the land law of Tennessee, 
and became very odious as a land shark and jobber in land titles. The act of 1819, 
fixing a limitation on land litigations, was passed for the express purpose of defeating 
him and others of his stamp in their machinations against titles to real estate in Ten- 
nessee. In 1825, when I was a student at Transylvania University, I met him in 
Lexington, Ky. , and he told me he had been legislated out of Tennessee, and that 
he was, he hoped, a solitary instance in American history where the legislative author- 
ity of a State had turned its battery against an individual citizen. He said he had in 
a perfectly legitimate way laid the foundation of the finest estate in America under 



i8 
existing taws, and iiad been reduced by legislative tyranny to utter poverty, and \ir- 
tually exiled from the State without a crime, to gratify the malire of men who envied 
the merit they could not reach. He was a rough, bad man, but was endowed with 
wonderful jierseverence and ca].iacity for mischief. 

Richard I).\i v. 
Major Richard Daly, a Virginian by birth, removed from \'irginia to Tennessee 
and settled near Clarksville, and died several .years before I became a member of the 
bar. He married a daughter of Rev. John Neblett, and foUow-ing the example almost 
universal in Virginia among the lawyers, lived in the country and practiced law in this 
and adjoining counties of this Judicial District. 1 never saw him at the bar, but from 
what I have heard of him as a lawyer, I will say he was amongst the ablest lawyers 
then at the bar, a brilliant wit, and a most excellent and irreproachable gentleman. 
Some of his family still live in this county. One of his sons, John N. Daly, studied 
law in this county, and graduated in the Lebanon Law School, and was one of the 
most promising young men in the State. He went to .\rkansas and settled in Camden, 
and was rapidly rising to fame and usefulness, but when the war came on he at once 
took the field, and fell gallantly fighting, at the head of the regiment he had raised in 
.Arkansas, at the battle of Corinth. 

Patrick Henrv. 

As a faithful historian, I ought to be allowed, even at the sacrifice of modesty, to 
mention the name of General Patrick Henry, my brother, who was a member of this 
bar, about this time. Born in Scott county, K\-.. he married and settled in Clarks- 
ville, Tenn. He was a lawyer of great cultivation, and endowed with wonderful gifts 
as a public speaker. He retired early from the practice. If he had continued and 
used his wonderful power as an orator, I may be pardoned for saying he would have 
rivalled in elocpience his far famed but remote ancestor whose name he bore. He 
possessed all the retjuisites of a great orator, a fine voice, a commanding person, and 
wonderful power over the minds and hearts of the people. He left the State early 
and removed to Mississippi, where be became a prominent cotton planter, and added 
his name, his taste and refinement to the long list of planters in that State who were 
at that time an ornament to any country. 

Cave Johnson. 

When I came to the l)ar in Clarksville, Hon. Cave Johnson was still in the prac- 
tice of his profession, though his public duties called him to Congress. He entered 
Congress in 1829, and was re-elected till 1837; was defeated that year, but was again 
returned to Congress in 1839, and continued till 1845, when he was appointed Post- 
master-General at the beginning of President Polk's administration, and remained in 
office till its close, on the 4th of March, 1849. He had risen from the Clerk's office 
in Robertson county, where he was born, to the highest position as a lawyer; was very 
familiar with legal forms used in the practice of his profession and with all manner of 
personal contracts and conveyances of real and personal estate. For several years he 
was the .\ttorney-C;eneral for this Judicial District, then regarded as a more lucrative 



10 

and important office than now, and was a terror to evil doers. He was always a 
persuasive, earnest and elocpient speaker, and a hard man to manage, as I chance to 
know, in debate; and in the conclusion of a cause in court or a debate before the 
people, was almost irresistible. He had pretty much retired fr(3m the bar when 1 
became a member of it here, but occasionally argued causes in court. I know more 
of him as a politician than lawyer. In early life we were bitter political opponents, 
which cut us off from social intercourse, but in 1861 and 1862 we became better 
acquainted and filed under the same banner and appreciated each other as we had 
never done before, and became warmly attached. There were few outside of his 
immediate family who appreciated him more highly or more sincerely regretted his 
loss. As Attorney-General, Congressman and Postmaster-General, he acquitted him- 
self with great credit, and left office without a blot on his name. 
Ai.EXANDKR M. Clayton 

was born in \'irginia, educated at the University of Virginia, and settled here about 
the year 1825, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession. He was a 
man of very extensive reading and scholarly attainments as a lawyer and a citizen. 
He was all the time in feeble health and had a weak voice, but distinct utterance, and 
was nevertheless a very interesting speaker and successful lawyer before the court and 
the jury, .\fter living here about ten years he was appointed United States District 
Judge for the Territory of Arkansas, and subsequently removed to Mississippi, where 
he became a successful cotton planter, but prosecuted his profession with renew-ed 
energy; occupied the first rank amongst the lawyers of that State, and became one of 
its Supreme Judges at a time when the legal profession was crowded with as fine 
lawyers as any State in the Union possessed. He still survives and keeps up, as I 
understand, his habit of close attention to his business, and can do more office work, 
and in a neater style, than any man I know. 

Mortimer A. Martjn 
was a native of the county of Sumner, Tennessee, and the son of an able Methodist 
preacher, who was contemporary with the Rev. Valentine S. Cook. After acquiring 
a plain education, but substantial, he studied law ; settled first at Springfield, and soon 
removed to Clarksville, where he lived till he died, in 1852. He was, as Mr. Web- 
ster once said of Mason, of Massachusetts, a sf/v/i^ man : an able lawyer by nature, I 
may say, for he did not have a large library, nor was he e.\tensively read in his profes- 
sion, but he had a strong logical mind, thought a great deal, and investigated in that 
way, by mental analysis, every case he had to determine as lawyer or judge. Having 
been raised in the country, he had an early bias for a country life, and for a good 
many years before his death lived on his plantation on the Cumberland River, where 
he died. In 1836 he was elected Judge of this Judicial District, and remained on the 
bench till the day of his death. He enjoyed a fine legal discussion before him and 
listened with pleasure, indeed with gusto, to the humor, the wit and the repartee of 
the lawyers. No man could catch a fine thing, or detect a ridiculous blunder, sooner 
than he; exceedingly watchful of every lawyer and everything that was jjassing in the 



court room, he detected at a glance as by intuition every attempt at sharp practice, 
and every quiz that was afloat or in incubation, especially if he was the subject of it. 
He knew on the instant what was up, and was fully prepared to repel any assault or 
turn the point of any witticism from himself to his assailant. On one occasion Richard 
Barker, a young lawyer who possessed a real legal mind, and who was very trouble- 
some to the lawyers, in filing demurrers to pleas and declarations, after he had argued 
a demurrer, which was overruled, came to me and several lawyers who were quietly 
sitting in the bar, and said he was going to run a joke on the Judge if it would not 
offend him. He said he was going to move to correct the minutes, which would state 
the demurrer was fullx undi-rsfood l>y the court, and asked us to stand by him and 
laugh down the Judge when the laughing time came. We promised to befriend him, 
and assured him the Judge would take no offense. The Judge saw our close conference 
and at once detected a conspiracy. As the clerk, my old and venerable friend Charles 
Bailey, read over the minutes of the court, he reached the entry on Barker's demurrer. 
In a moment we were all attention, and just as he was in the midst of the recital, that 
the demurrer having been fully argued by the counsel and fully understood by the 
court. Barker rose and said: "May it please the court, I move to correct the minutes 
just read in that part which says — ." The court promptly interposed, and said: "Mr. 
Clerk, the motion of the counsel is allowed, strike out that part which says the demurrer 
was /////v argued by counsel." The laugh was at once turned on young Barker, and 
his confederates were forced to join in against their friend. No one enjoyed the joke 
with more intense satisfaction than the Clerk, except, perhaps, the Judge, who had the 
habit of laughing at his own wit. None enjoyed it less than Barker himself. I recite 
this little reminiscence as developing more distinctly one of Judge Martin's striking 
traits of character than any language I could otherwise employ. He was an able and 
incorruptible judge, and gave such satisfaction on the judgment seat, that the bar and 
country felt his place could hardly be filled when he died. His habit was to be atten- 
tive to the reading of the declaration and the pleas, and he saw in a moment the legal 
point in controversy. The issue joined between the parties was the point on which 
his mind hung during the progress of the cause. His instructions to the jury were as 
clear as a sunbeam, and candidly and fairly stated in language so plain that the jury 
easily understood the case, and rarely failed to render a satisfactory verdict. He used 
to say some one of the judges, perhaps Judge Turley, said of his opinions: "If he did 
not know what the law was, he guessed better than any man he ever knew." In 
view of all this, I say he was a lawyer by nature, and the ablest Circuit Judge in the 
State. 

John Quarles, 

of Russellville, Ky. , had located here as early as 1830; came in broken health, and 

after struggling on in great discomfort, if not pain, died in Clarksville in either the 

year of 1834 or 1835. 

Wii^LiAM K. Turner 

was at the bar when I settled here, and became the Attorney-General in 1834, and 
and held the office till he was elected to the Legislature of the State, -when he resigned. 



He was a very able Attorney-Cleneral, if anytliing a little too severe ; and when excited 
by counsel in the defence, became too bitter in his denunciation of the criminal on 
trial. In 1854, he was elected Criminal Judge, which office he held until 1S62. As 
a judge of the Criminal Court he had no superior, combining a clear and dislinct 
knowledge of the criminal law, with an inflexible determination to suppress crime anil 
punish criminals who were proven to be guilty. He was, nevertheless, the last man 
in the "world who would have prostituted his high office to the persecution of the inno- 
cent, and who looked with unutterable abhorrence upon the crime of judicial murder, 
which often disgraced the annals of the criminal jurisprudence in England. When in 
court, and during the progress of an important cause, order had to be jireserved in 
the court room, and the officers of the court knew it and acted accordingly. 

Herbert S. Kimble 
wrs a very respectable chancery lawyer, kept his office and papers in order and scrup- 
ulously neat. He was an actor in some of the most amusing incidents I ever saw in 
the Court House. They require, however, too much acting to give them their proper 
stage effect to have a place in this veritable history. 

N.m'haniel Hocket Allen. 

What shall I say of the "old man eloquent" that could be worthy of his unrivaled 
fame as a criminal lawyer? I need not seek to revive your recollection of him. He 
had the power to impress himself upon the memory of all who ever heard him, so 
indelibly, that the surges of time cannot obliterate your remembrance of him. It was 
in the Criminal Court, in defence of a client whose life and liberty were in peril for 
having taken the life of his antagonist in combat, in defence of his own, that his soul 
took fire and glowed with fervent heat. His eloipience in the Criminal Court was not 
of the melting mood, that dissolved the jury into tears, but in biting sarcasm and 
indignant scorn that withered or destroyed its victim. He was aggressive and carried 
the war into Africa, and very often instead of a defence of his client, he would wage 
a war against the prosecutor, so fierce that the poor man was glad to get out of the 
scrape without being sent to the penitentiary himself. He had great natural talents 
and read the book of nature more than books made by human hands, and spent much 
of his life, I may say, on horseback, and was never happier than when he was mounted 
on a fine saddle horse that carried him over the hills and away from court to court. 
He was very familiar with the private history of almost every family in the district, and 
laid it up as a fund of knowledge that enabled him to select a suitable jury in every 
closely contested case he was called upon to defend. He abounded in anecdotes, 
which he used, not so much for the fun of the thing, as for illustration in place of 
argument, as weapons he would use upon his assailants, or as whips with which he 
would lash them, or as ridicule with which he would overwhelm them. I have often 
heard him answer an argument with an anecdote which you would think at first had 
no bearing on the case, and that he was merely firing blank cartridges, but which would 
by and by burst upon the court and jury in such a flood of ridicule as would quite 
overwhelm his opponent. All this ammunition he had carefully packed away in the 



storehouse of his memory, on \vhi(;h he would draw for an apt iUustration that was 
more potent than logic, and convincing than argument. These things he would use 
not merely to point a moral or adorn a tale, but they were his shield and armor, his 
H eapons both offensive and defensive against the world, and no man could use them 
with greater effect for assault or defence. His anecdote of .\ndrew Haynes, who saw 
for the first time a steamboat on the Cumberland River, is remembered by thousands 
who heard his dramatic history and representation of the affair, and by thousands who 
have had a glimpse merely of its e.xtraordinary richness from tradition. All imitators 
of the grand old original will be remarkable only for their failure to equal him who 
caught from personal observation the incidents of the scene, and whose genius threw 
a charm over them that will not fade from the memory. Those who attempt to repeat 
this anecdote will find themselves in the condition of him who would essay to cojjy 
one of Michael Angelo's best pictures. The canvass may be there, and the paint may 
be applied with skill, but the soul which lent its sublime aspiration to the picture is 
gone forever. I will not, therefore, attempt to recite any anecdote told by Nathaniel 
Hocket Allen, but would rather impress his e.xample as a good citizen, as a devotee to 
the princi])al of truth, from which he never swerved, on the members of the bar, and 
pray that they would treasure his example as jewels of inestimable value. 1 must 
mention the case of Fredonia Williams vs. J. J. Williams, for a divorce, in which 
.\llen figured. He was for the plaintiff and I for the defendant. She alleged that she 
was sent to school to Williams when she was very young, and that by one device and 
another he gained her affection and married her before she was sixteen years old. 
against the will of her parents, and after a year or two treated her with such cruelty 
that she was forced to fly from his house and take shelter under the parental roof. The 
case elicited deep feeling between the parties, and the neighbors of her father took 
sides warmly for her. The case was called, the papers read and testimony heard one 
evening, and the court adjourned to meet next morning, when the arguments would 
be heard in the case. Allen rode home that evening, and the old man Britt, the father 
of the plaintiff, rode home with him. On the way Allen said: "Britt, ask me if Judge 
Martin has a daughter." The question was put and answered in the affirmative. 
"Now ask me if he loves his daughter." It was done, and Allen answered: "Yes, 
yes, Britt, he loves her as well as you do your own poor unfortunate daughter." Before 
they had gotten through with this little conversation, Britt wept a tear or so, drew a 
red pocket handkerchief from his pocket, blew his nose, which resounded like a trum- 
pet, and wiped his eyes dry of the tears he had shed. Allen was happy ; he had laid 
the ground work now in truth for the grand display he would make the following 
morning. He came into court, and after he had warmed up in the discussion of the 
real or imaginary wrongs of his client, and saw he had the sympathy and close atten- 
tion of the court, he said: "May it please your honor, as I rode home last night. 
Britt, the unfortunate father of this broken-hearted woman, asked me if your honor 
had a daughter. I said, 'yes, Britt, he has.' '.\nd does he love his daughter?" 
' Yes, yes, Britt : he loves her with all the tenderness a woman feels for her first born 
child; yes, old man, he loves her as tenderly as you love your downtrodden, insulted 



but lovelv daughter — lovelier in her tears than in her smiles.' And the tears of the 

father, mav it please your honor, gushed down his rude and rugged face as the water 

flowed from the roek on Horeb's mountain when struck by the rod of Moses." " Boo, 

hoo, hoo," cried Martin, and the tears were rushing down his face, which at the time 

was as rugged as Britt's, or the rock on Horeb's mountain either. Wiley B. Johnson, 

who was standing l)v, whose heart was as tender as a girl's, and who was deeply 

moved, cried out: "Henry, Martin is crying, and I be hanged if you haven't lost 

your cause I" And so indeed I had. The Judge cried, "Sheriff, keep silence in the 

court," and Allen proceeded in the tone of a man who was conscious he had gained 

his cause. 

W'li.EV B. Johnson, 

for many years the .-Vttorney-deneral of this district, was a man of extraordinary per- 
sonal attractions. Had he lived he would have made his mark in the civil war, which 
has swept his native South as with the besom of destruction. His lion-hearted courage 
would have placed him in the front rank and alongside of Ham]jton as a cavalry 
officer. He was not a very profound lawyer; never was fond enough of his profession 
to be so, though he had talents enough. He was, however, a very effective public 
speaker, and had the sweetest and richest voice ever bestowed upon man. Many a 
time has he made me cry like a child under the w'itchery of some little sentimental 
song he would sing on our way to court on horseback under the grand old forests that 
overshadowed the road ; and if by chance he should detect a tear in my eye, he would 
lireak out in a resounding laugh that could be heard a mile off. I have rarely seen 
a more manly person than Wiley B. Johnson. He had decided military talents. I 
have often imagined how grandly he would have swept the field at the head of his 
cavalry. The roll of the drum, and the spirit-stirring fife, set him all on fire. He, 
too, has sunk to his rest, and "no sound shall ever wake him to glory again." 

Frederick W. Hewi.in(; 
was contem])orary with James B. Reynolds, and, like him, had become a politician 
when I settled here, and had retired from the Ijar. He had been a prominent lawyer 
and was a worthy man, and very much of a favorite with the people of Montgomery, 
and represented the county several years in the Legislature. 

RoHERT J. Rivers 
was probably the brightest young man who ever enrolled himself as a member of this 
bar. He had a charming eloquence, very much after the style of John J. Crittenden, 
of Kentucky, He left Tennessee and settled in Texas, where he died many years 
ago. 

Georce C. Bovn 

was a lawyer indeed, and at times a very forcible and always a very convincing speaker. 
His mind was too much engrossed in delving down to the reason and foundations of 
every legal principle to have time to indulge in elegant and ornamental rhetoric. He 
did not disdain these things, for no man was more moved by true eloquence than he, 
l>ut the bent and inclination of his mind was towards profound legal investigation and 



24 

close and earnest thought. He was the best lawyer of his age I ever knew, and 
would have risen to the head of his profession in Tennessee had his life not been cut 
short in early manhood. 

W'll, 1,1AM OVERTIJN 

was also at the bar when I settled here. He was not fond of the profession, and 
turned his attention to journalism, for which he had a decided preference, as well as 
great knowledge of the political history of the country. He was two years a represen- 
tative of this county in the State Legislature, and retired very early to private life, 
which he preferred to the strife and the conflict of the bar or politics, though he had 
talents enough to have adorned either. 

Joseph Hise 

removed from Russellville, Ky., where he was born, and was a member of this bar 
from 1830 to 1838. He was the most remarkable man I ever knew in many respects, 
and possessed a wonderful fund of knowledge and satire and wit. Everybody was 
afraid to encounter him in debate, and I remember Nathaniel Hocket Allen once said 
to me he had rather meet a rattlesnake at midnight. He left here for New Orleans, 
where he died of some malarial disease. 

.\11 of the bar of whom I have spoken were men of respectable and some of them 
extraordinary talents. All lived the life of honor and died gloriously, in this leaving 
to their children the legacy of a bright and untarnished name if nothing else. .\11 
these were members of the bar or had been before 1833. 

Afterwards James E. Bailey, T. W. King, James M. and William .\. Quarles, 
James E. Rice, R. W, Humphreys, J. O. Shackelford, J. G. Hornberger, H. S. 
(iarland, John F. House, Alfred Robb, George Harrel, Horace H. Lurton, Charles 
(i. Smith, William M. Daniel, Thomas W. ^^'isdom, Richard Barker, Edward W. 
Munford, John C. Bullett, N. B. Dudley, E. H. Foster, Jr., William J. Broaddus, 
Thomas F. Henry, Frank .\nderson, Frank Dabney, Thomas W. Beaumont, Horace 
Gaither. I,. B. Chase, G. G. Poindexter, Washington Lowe, Edmund B. Lurton, 
Robert \V. Johnson, John Campbell, Henry C. Merritt, Charles W. Tyler, Hickman 
and Polk (i. Johnson, .\rthur H. and Lewis G. Munford, Rufus N. Rhodes, Willis 
Jai kson, John J. \\'est, T. ^L Riley, Jacob Rudolph, Robert H. Burney, Thomas 
L. Yancey, .\. (_r. Goodlett, H. \V. Watts, H. C. Batts, Baker D. Johnson, Miner 
(Quarles, Isaac W. Taylor and Ed. C. Campbell, came to the bar, and are now, or 
rather those who survive, are the active members of the bar to-day. 
Thdmas \V. Kinc. 

The Hon. Thomas W. King was a native of Clarksville, and the second son of 
Dr. Lewis W. King, He was educated in the old City Academy of Clarksville, and 
very finely educated too. I have scarcely ever met a finer classic scholar, one who 
read the English language so elegantly, the Latin language so finely and translated it 
so well. He read the Latin classics with the o/r rolundc that would have done credit 
to Cicero himself. He was a thorough historian, and the finest belles lettre scholar 
belonging to the bar. His reading was so thorough and extensive that we were in the 



25 

haliit ot" referring all disputed points of literature to his arbitrament. His bills in 

Chancery and pleading in the Courts of Law were so admirably drawn as to be models 

for his brothers of the profession, who sometimes do not value scholastic elegance 

enough in the i)re|jaration of their ])leadings. His knowledge of his profession was 

exceedingly creditalile. He preferred the bench to the fierce conflicts at the bar, and 

had he not been ( ut off in the ]jrime of life, would have adorned any tribunal from 

the Judicial station he held in Montgomery, County Judge, to the Su]jreme Court of 

the State. 

H. S. Cakl.^N]) 

was a son of the Hon. James Carland, of Lynchburg, Va., who settled in Clarksville 
in I1S44, and was a young man of native talents and very considerable cultivation. 
.\s a lawyer he was very promising, and was in the enjoyment of a very lucrative 
practice when he died. 

J. C;. HOKNUERGF.R 

was born in Stewart county, and fought his way up against the difificulties of a defective 
education, and without patronage or family influence, to a most remunerative practice 
in Clarksville, and which was suffering no dimunition at the time of his death. 

Rol'.ERT ^V. JdHNSIlN 

came to the bar in i860, and was a well educated young lawyer; had high rank in the 
Lebanon Law College, where he gave evidence of superior cultivation and incited 
great hopes of success, but died too early to realize them. 
George H.arrel 

was born in Todd county, Ky. , read law in Clarksville, and commenced the practice 
of his i)rotession in this city, and was making a fair start in his profession about the 
beginning of the war between the States, when he joined the army of the Confederate 
States, rose from the ranks to the office of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Fourteenth Ten- 
nessee Regiment, and was in command of the regiment at the battle of Cedar Run, in 
Virginia, on the 4th of August, where he was mortally wounded, and died a few 
days afterward. He was a gallant soldier, and died gallantly at the head of his regi- 
ment. 

John Campbell 

came to the bar about the close of the war, and was one of the best business men of 
his age in the profession. He died very young, but not before he had attained a 
good position at the bar, and had given promise of great usefulness, and laid the 
foundation for success had he lived. 

.Vl.FREll ROBB 

was born in Simmer county, and was a son of Mr. Joseph Robb, one of the most 
respectable old gentlemen in the State. He settled here in 1850, and soon became a 
jxartner of the Hon. James E. Bailey, and was enjoying a fine practice at the opening 
of the civil war. He volunteered as a soldier, and on the organization of his regiment 
was elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and fell mortally wounded at Fort Donelson, and died 
soon afterwards of his wounds at his home in Clarksville. He was in the prime of 



26 

life, and. like Saul, was a head and shoulder taller than any man in the army. He 
exposed himself imprudently during the assault upon Fort Donelson, and 
"Seemed to feel as though himself were he 
On whose sole arm hung victory." 
He fell in the first great battle in Tennessee, and was among the first great martyrs in 
a sacred cause, which he sealed with his blood. 

"There sounds not to the trump of fame 
The echo of a nobler name." 

Tho.m.^s W. Wisdom 
was born and raised in this county, and about the year 1845 came to Clarksville and 
was employed in the office of Major Charles Bailey as Deputy Clerk of the Circuit 
Court, and studied law while discharging the duties of his office. Indeed the office of 
l)ci)uty Clerk was resorted to more as a preparation for the study and practice of the 
law than for the emoluments of the office. He remained with Major Bailey, who had 
a wonderful faculty in discerning merits in a young man, till 1848, when he obtained 
licence to practice law. He was at once taken into partnership with Hon. James E. 
Bailey, who found him a valuable office partner. He continued in his office actively 
engaged in all the duties of a junior member of the firm till 1850, when, captivated by 
the fabulous accounts of the golden sands of California, he joined a company of very 
respectable gentlemen in Clarksville, who rigged up an outfit, which consisted of a 
common wagon and four mules, and set out for California over the plains and Rocky 
Mountains, camping at night under their tents and living luxuriously on the rough fare 
of a camp life. The young man who was afterwards to become one of the Circuit 
Judges of Tennessee, was one of the most active and persevering members of this gold 
mining company, sometimes driving the mules that hauled the wagon, and at all times 
one of the most energetic of the company on the march or in the diggins, as the gold 
mines were then called. His early habits of industry, acquired on his father's planta- 
tion in Montgomery county, were more valuable to him than all the gold he ever dug 
out of the valleys and mountains of California. He had perpetual use for the knowl- 
edge he acquired on the farm, which is perhaps the more valuable for the reason that 
such knowledge never departs from a man who has acquired it. The company worked 
faithfully in the gold mining business for a while, and not realizing the full measure ot 
their golden dreams and high expectations of sudden and great wealth, returned, like 
chickens at night to roost at home, if not richer, wiser men. None of them profited 
more by their long trip to the setting sun and the experience they actjuired, than young 
Wisdom, who on his return found his place in Bailey's office filled by another. He 
immediately opened an office and resumed the practice of his profession, and not 
without success. On the 5th of May, 1856, he was elected County Judge of Mont- 
gamery county, which office he filled till 1858, when he declined a re-election, and 
Herbert S. Kimble was elected to fill his place. In May, 1861, he was elected Circuit 
Judge of this Judicial District over such competition as Nathaniel Hocket Allen and 
J. O. Shackelford, which office he held till 1865, which covered the whole period of 
the civil war between the States, when he was taken sick while he was holding court 



27 

in Dover, and returned home to die in a few days thereafter. He was a good man, a 
sound lawyer, and was making an impartial and able judge when he departed this life 
in June, 1865. He was decidedly a working man, and reaped the reward which 
usually attends industry and qualifications for business in every walk of life. Very 
few young men of the bar of Clarksville ever made a better impression upon the ]jeo- 
]jle and more rapidly gained their favor than Thomas W. Wisdom. None ever lived 
more respected or died more lamented. 

From the year 1839 to 1848 there came to the bar in Clarksville a number of very 
promising young lawyers, Richard Barker, Edward W. Munford, Frank Dabney, 
Isaac W. Taylor, Ephraim H. Foster, Jr., John C. BuUett, Needham B. Dudley, 
\\'illiam Broaddus and Horace Gaither, all of whom were well educated young men 
and very ambitious to rise in the profession. 

RlCHARIl H. B.\RKER 

had a solid mind, cast in a legal mould. After remaining here a few years he went to 
New Orleans to practice his profession, and was gaining reputation very fast when he 
died of yellow fever. The Hon. Judah P. Benjamin, of New Orleans, while he was 
Secretary of State in the Confederate Government, told me in Richmond that he w^as 
one of the most promising young lawyers in New Orleans, and so highly did he appre- 
ciate his legal discrimination that it was his habit, when he was pressed with business, 
to employ Mr. Barker to preiiare briefs for him in causes he had to argue before the 
courts in New Orleans. 

Is-\AC W. Tavlor 

was a young lawyer of brilliant talents ; left here very soon after he married a daughter 
of Mr. Samuel Stacker, of Cumberland Rolling Mills, for St. Louis, where he made 
a fine reputation as a lawyer and a man of genius. He represented that city in the 
Missouri Legislature, and died when he was a very young man from injuries received 
on the railroad. When he was a member of the Legislature of Missouri he brought 
himself prominently into notice by a brilliant reply which he made impromptu to a 
member who assailed in debate the lawyers as a class as being unpatriotic, selfish and 
unworthy of public trust. To this moment Isaac W. Taylor had not sjroken, and 
none were prepared for the burst of eloquence which overwhelmed his antagonist and 
electrified the House. He said there was no example in history where the lawyers 
had not signalized their patriotic devotion to liberty whenever its fortress had been 
assailed by tyrants and despots, arid that the fair name of American lawyers was too 
well defended by public justice to be injured by a-shaft that was hurled against them 
from the quiver and by the arm of any demagogue. 

Frank Dabney 
was a son of old Dr. Samuel Dabney, of Montgomery county; studied law in this city 
and entered upon the practice of his profession in Clarksville in 1843. He was a well 
educated young lawyer, and well prepared for the bar. He had an incisive mind that 
cut its way to the bottom of everything he was called upon to investigate. He and 
George Harrel, of whom I have already spoken, were partners, and were doing ex- 



28 

ceedingly well in the profession, but young Dahney's health failed. It was unequal 
to his ambition, and he fell an early victim to some pulmonary disease. 

Horace (I.aithf.r 

was a Kentuckian by birth. He settled here in 1845, ^"d '^^'^s a very elegant, accom- 
plished and well educated young man. He remained here but a few years, and went 
to New Orleans with the view of practicing law, where he married a lady of fortune, 
which was large enough to relieve him from the drudgery of the profession ; retired 
early, and has Iseen deati a good many years. 

Thom.xs W. Be.-\u.mon't, 

a native of Clarksville and a son of the Re\-. Henry Beaumont, was finely educated 
at Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., where he graduated in the year 1848 or 
1849. Pursuing other literary occupations, he did not come to the bar before 1855. 
He possessed all the qualifications for success, but had scarcely made his debut at the 
bar before he became enamored of what is now fashionably called journalism. He 
very soon began to write for the newspapers, then was for a while the local editor of 
the Clarksville Chroniclf, and in the year 1858 was invited by the proprietors of the 
Nashville Baniur, the leading Whig paper in the State, to become its editor. He had 
a decided passion for the excitement of political life, and promptly accepted the com- 
plimentary invitation tendered him, and at once made his bow to the public as the 
editor of the Banner. He was a fine writer, a ver)' ambitious young man, and held 
the paper up to the high reputation it had aci[uired under the editorial control of 
(leneral Felix K. Zollicoffer. When the war broke out, at the first blast of the bugle 
he broke away from his editorial pursuits, exchanged the Nashville Banner for the 
banner of the Confederate States, entered the army as a Captain in Colonel Sugg's 
Regiment, and followed it to his death. He rose in the service to the rank of 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and was in command of the regiment at the great battle of Chick- 
amauga, where he fell leading it to glorious victory. He was a young man of fine 
talents, and a soldier of whom the people of the State and of Montgomery county 
might well be proud. 

(;. C. PolNDEXrKR 

was admitted to the bar in Clarksx ille in the year 1852, and was regarded by all as a 
young man of fine talents. He was an accomplished scholar, and a very racy writer. 
In the year 1857 he was offered the editorial chair of the Union and American, the 
leading Democratic newspaper in the State, published in Nashville, and immediately 
accepted the position. It was a little singular that he and Thomas W. Beaumont 
should both have been called from Clarksville, tlie one in 1857 and the other in 1858, 
to Nashville, to the editorial departments of the two most important political news- 
papers in the State, both located at the Capital, and of opposite politics, the one the 
organ of the Whig and the other of the Democratic party. It ought to have been 
expected that two such young men, both very high strung, very ardent and very 
talented, should have had a stormy time and finally come in personal conflict, as 



29 

indeed they did, which resulted not fatally to either, Init equally honoral)le to them 

both. 

LuciEN B. Chase, 

a native, I think, of some one of the New England States, came to Tennessee about 
the year 1842, as a school teacher, and while teaching school in Dover studied law 
and located first as a lawyer at Charlotte, and finally came to Clarksville as a law 
|jartner of Wiley B. Johnson. He practiced law here aljout one year, and upon the 
retirement of Hon. Cave Johnson, on the 4th of March, 1^45, was nominated by the 
Democratic party for Congress. He was elected to the Twenty-Ninth and Thirtieth 
Congress, and was a member from 1S45 to 1849. Before the expiration of his seccnd 
term he married in New York, and never returned to Tennessee. His success was 
remarkable. He came to Tennessee a poor young teacher, and had not a relative in 
the .State. Though a man of ordinary talents, he wa.s systematic in the plans he laid, 
and carried them out with vigor, and evidently had his eye on Congress from the 
beginning. He first settled in Stewart, a strong Democratic county, as a poor teacher, 
then as a young lawyer located in Dickson county, strongly Democratic too, and 
finally came to Clarksville as the law partner of Wiley B. Johnson, and in this way fell 
heir to the political shoes of Hon. Cave Johnson, when he put them off to become 
Postmaster-General under Mr. Polk's administration. 

Washington Lowe 

was elected Attorney-General in this district in 1856, and soon after came here and 
discharged the duties of his office very creditably to himself till the war. He imme- 
diately entered the service, and was killed at the battle of Munfordsville in Kentucky, 
making the fourth member of the Clarksville bar who fell in battle during the war 
between the States. He was a native of Robertson county, and was very ambitious 
to excel in his profession, and would probably have done so had he lived, for he 
had made a very favorable impression as a lawyer, and had excited great ho|jes of 
success. 

The truth of history requires me to record the fact that the bar of Clarksville has 
not been reluctant or slow to give her jewels to the country in any emergency. In 
addition to the soldiers who died on the field of battle, it has furnished to the civil 
de|jartment, one Confederate Senator, Gustavus A. Henry; and one Congressman, 
John F. House; one United States Senator, James E. Bailey, and five Congressmen, 
Parry W. Humphreys, James B. Reynolds, Cave Johnson, Lucien B. Chase, James 
M. Quarles; one Postmaster-General, Cave Johnso'n, and four Judges of the Supreme 
Court of Tennessee, Parry W. Humphreys, William L. Brown, William B. Turley, 
J. O. Shackelford; one Judge of the District Court of the United States, A. M. Clay- 
ton, and one Judge of the Supreme Court of Mississippi; and to the military depart- 
ment five Colonels, William A. Quarles, James E. Bailey, Alfred Robb, George 
Harrel, Thomas W. Beaumont, three of whom died in the Confederate army on the 
field, and one General, William A. Quarles, who, though he still survives, bled freely 
from the beginning to the end of the struggle, and now bears upon his person wounds 



received in battle, which speak trumpet-tongued of his valor, as well as of his devotion 
to the cause for which he bled. 

RciHKRi' \y. Humphreys. 
One year after, on the 4th of July, 1878, Major Henry delivered another address 
to the Clarksville bar, commemorative of the life of Robert \V. Humjihreys, who had 
died a few months previous, and we give that address entire : 

Robert W. Humphreys was born in Mont- 
gomery county, Tennessee, on the 14th of April, 
1824, and died on the 25th of May, 1878, at 
liailey's S]jrings, near Florence, Ala., in the 54th 
ye:,r of his age, whilhcr he had gone in ver\' 
poor health, under the hope that their healing 
waters would restore his health again. He was 
a son of Judge Parry \V. Humphreys, who was 
Judge of this Judicial District from 1821 to 1836, 
beloved and honored by the whole people. His 
sori, Robert \V. Humphreys, was a graduate of 
ihc University of Tennessee, Nashville, in 1843. 
which was at the time under the control of the 
Rev. Philip Lindsey as President, an institution 
where a great many of the distinguished men of 
Tennessee were educated. He soon after com- 
menced the study of the law in the office of his 
brother-in-law, Mr. .\ltred \\'. Powell, in Holly 
Springs, Miss. In the Fall of 1844, he entered the law department of Harvard Col- 
lege, at Cambridge, Mass., and graduated in the Spring of 1846. He had scarcely 
received his diploma when his ear caught the sound of the bugle, rallying the chivalry 
of the country to the American standard in the war with Me.xico. His law books 
were laid aside, the toga of the citizen was changed in a moment for the armor of the 
soldier. He offered himself to President Polk, and was at once commissioned as First 
Lieutenant in the regular army, and assigned to duty in the Fourteenth Regiment of 
Tennessee Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Trousdale, subsequently Gov- 
ernor of Tennessee. His Captain was taken sick, and the command of the company 
virtually devolved upon Robert W. Humphreys. He remained with the army from 
the beginning to the end of the war; on the march, in caniji, in bivouac and in the 
storm of battle, he was always with his command, and no bra\er soldier ever swung 
his sword upon his thigh than Robert W. Humphreys. .\ tall youth of twenty-three, 
of |)erfect symmetry of form and manly beauty, he stood at the head of his company, 
only emulous to eipial them in valor (for they were as true as the metal of their tried 
blades), 

"With hands to strike and soul to dare 
As quick and far as they." 
It is historicall) true that while he was First Lieutenant under Trousdale in the infantr}- 




service. S;one\vall Jackson \v;;s First I.icLitenant under Ca])tain John Bankhead Ma- 
griiiler in the artillery ser\ice. On the 7th vf August, 1S47, (leneral W'infiehl Scott, 
the Conmiander-in-Chiet ot" the American army, ."fter capturing \'era Cruz and storm- 
ing C'erro (iorchi, set (Uit from I, a Peuhhi willi a force of only 11,000 to capture the 
Citv of Mexico. Santa Anna had a strong army, with aluindant munitions of war, 
and had fortified every mountain defile between \'era t'ru/ and the City of Mexico. 
Such a campaign, with so small an army, in the heart of the enemy's country, strongly 
fortified and defended by an army greatly superior in point of numbers, crowned with 
signal victory, such triumphant success has never been recorded in the pages of his- 
tory. Hernando Cortez's chivalric march over the same ground, in 1520, was not 
e(iual to it. He burnt his ships to cut off the possibility of retreat, but he met an 
unorganized mass of uncivilized and unarmed men, while General Scott, with a handful 
of gallant soldiers, swept from the field an army far more numerous and as well ap- 
pointed as his own, and commanded by one of the most renowned chieftains of modern 
times. Not to speak of the reduction of Contreras, Chiu'ubusco and iMellino del Rey, 
which must be studied in the professional histories of the war, our army next ajiproached 
the Castle Chepultepec. This was more formidable than those already carried, and 
m ire desperately defended. It was regarded as the outwork of the city, and com- 
manded the causeways that approached it and the city. Lieutenant Humphreys, now 
in command of his comjiany, had particijinted in the preliminary actions already sjioken 
ot". and had distinguished himself in all, and now was to lead his company in the 
dreadful assault u])on the Castle of Che]niltepec, the last bloody conflict before the 
surrender of Mexico. Our army was cut off from its ships, and was feeling the need 
of supplies, which were abundant in the city. It was determined therefore to lay no 
regular siege, but to carry Chepultepec by storm. It was dangerous to atteiript it, and 
failure disastrous, but necessity that knows no law demanded it, and the chivalric 
valor of our army was equal to the occasion. ()n the morning of September 13th, the 
grand movement was made upon the Castle, which was strongly fortified upon the 
summit of the mountain and around the base vvith heavy artillery. Now was presented 
a grand spectacle; the fate of empires hung upon the issues of that day's work, the 
conquest of Mexico or the defeat, I may say the destruction, of the American army. 
There our gallant little army stood, all eager and ready, awaiting but one word, 
" forward" ; 

"All bright as the beams 
Of the sun, when he looks down in June on the streams, 
And fierce as young eagles when, stooping half way 
Down from heaven, they rush with a 'scream on their prey." 

There they stood, leaning forward like trained hounds, eager to be slipped from their 
leashes and panting for the word. Hy all the powers, 'twere worth ten years of 
peaceful life, one glance at their army. Major. General Gideon J. Pillow, to whom 
Magruder's battery was assigned, was directed to attack its West side, while Worth, 
the most skillful of Scott's Lieutenants, was to march by a circuit beyond Pillow and 
assail the North. Magruder was ordered by his General (Pillow) to divide his battery 
and send one section forward under Jackson, afterwards known as .Stonewall, towards 



■Jie Northwest angle, while he assailed another ])art. Two regiments of infantry under 
Colonel Trousdale (our own Colonel Trousdale, whose gallantry that day won him 
the office of Ciovernor of Tennessee) accompanied the former section. 'I'he columns 
of attack advanced to the charge, the artillery, at e\ery practicable point, striving to 
aid their approach hy ]jouring a storm of shot ujjon the Mexican batteries. When the 
iletachment which Magruder supported with the section under his immediate command 
had advanced so near the enemy that his fire was dangerous to his own friends, he 
proceeded to the front to join Jackson. The latter had been pushed forward by 
Colonel Trousdale, under whose immediate orders the plan of the battle jilaced him, 
until he found himself unexpectedly in the ].>resence of a strong battery of the enemy, 
at so short a range that in a few moments the larger portion of his horses was killed 
and his men eidier struck down or driven froin their guns by a storm of grajje-shot, 
while about seventy of the infantry were holding a precarious tenure of their ground 
in the rear. Worth was just completing his detour and bringing his veterans into 
connection with this [)arty when^ perceiving the desperate position of Jackson's guns, 
he sent him word to retire. He replied that it was now more dangerous to withdraw 
than to hold his position, and that if they would send him fifty veterans he would 
rather attempt the capture of the battery, which had so crippled his. Magruder then 
dashed forward, losing his horse by a fatal shot as he approached him, and found that 
he had lifted a single gun, by hand, across a deep ditch to a position where it coukl 
be served with effect; and this he was rapidly firing, with the sole assistance of a 
seargeant, while the remainder of his men were either killed, wounded, or crouching 
in the ditch, .\nother |iiece was soon lirought over, and in a i\:\\- moments the enemy 
were dri\ en from their battery by the rapid and unerring fire of Jackson and Magruder. 
P)V this time the storming parties had passed the Castle and the enemy were in full 
retreat upon the city. 

It will be seen b\- this historv that two regiments of infantry under Colonel Trous- 
dale accomjianied the section of the battery under Jackson, all under the command of 
Pillow, and that much of the credit of the victory is due to Pillow, Trousdale, Jackson 
and Magruder. I introduce this historic sketch because our late friend. Lieutenant 
Robert W. Humphreys, was in command of his company under Colonel Trousdale in 
that great battle, which resulted in a glorious victory to our arms, and in effect closed 
an eventful war in a blaze of glory. Often has he informed me that he attributed his 
personal safety to the horses that were killed in that battle immediately before the 
place where he stood at the head of his company. Often did he thrill me by describ- 
ing the heroic courage and great self-possession of Colonel Trousdale in that terrible 
hailstorm of lead. There Trousdale stood, and there Humphreys stood by his side, as 
firm as the rock-ribbed mountain on which the Castle of Chepultepec stood. Stonewall 
Jackson and Humphreys were in the .same brigade, one a Lieutenant in the artillery 
service, the other in the infantry, and partici])ated in the battles of Contereras, Cheru- 
busco, Mellino del Rey and Chepultepec. Humphreys entered the city at the head 
of his company on the 14th of September, 1847, and was stationed there till the treaty 
of peace was fully ratified on the 26th of May, 1848, and finally left Mexico on the 



I2th of June, 184.S, when the army retiirnetl home. The treaty of peace between the 
United States and Mexico was signed and fully ratified on the 26th of May, 1848, by 
which she ceded to the United States all New Mexico, all of Upper California, and 
accepted the Rio (Irande from its mouth to El Paso as the Southern boundary of 
Texas, thus adding to our territory 800,000 square miles. It is a glorious incident to 
the history of any young man to be connected with that war, from its inception to its 
close. After the surrender, Mr. Humphreys remained with the command in Me.xico 
till its return home, a period of nearly nine months, and was ([uartered in the national 
jxilace, and with Stonewall Jackson, slejJt in the halls of the Montezumas. On his 
return to Tennessee, he commenced the practice of his profession, courted and won 
the heart and hand of Miss Meriwether, daughter of Mr. Charles Meriwether, whom 
he married on the 2nd of October, 1851, and died on May 25th, 1878, leaving his 
widow and seven children, three daughters and four sons, to mourn his loss. .After 
the .Mexican war was oxer and he was discharged from the public service, he entered 
u]>on the duties of his profession as a lawyer, and very soon acquired a lucrative i)rac- 
tice. 

When deeply interested in the result of his cause, he was an earnest and effective 
debater. I have seen him, when he was warmed with his theme, not only eloquent 
but sublime. He had more genuine humor and wit than any man at the Clarksville 
bar, and was \ery happy in illustrating his case, and the actors in it, by some quaint 
character drawn by the graphic pen of Shakespeare or Dickens. In conducting his 
causes in court, he was perfectly fair and honorable, and lacked, it may be, a little 
enthusiasm in his appeals to the court and jury. As a scholar, he was a well educated 
man, and had a decided taste for historical reading, and in this department his knowl- 
edge was accurate and large. I have never met any man, outside of the ministr)-. who 
had read the Bible with more care, and whose mind was so full of Biblical illustration. 
It was to him the book of books, as well as the book of life. It was the book of his 
I)reference over all others, and the dee]) fountain from which he drew his illustrations, 
as well as the sublime examjiles on which he based and mouldetl his own character. 
He was an affectionate and sincere Christian man, and tried to do unto others as he 
would they should do unto him. This golden rule was perpetually in his heart and 
mind, and it was the chart and compass by which he steered his bark over the stormy 
ocean of life. No man searched more earnestly for the truth in law, in politics and in 
religion. In all these he held that he alone is free whom the truth makes free, and all 
are slaves besides, and was one of ihe few 

"Who never sold the truth to serve the hour, 
Nor faltered, with eternal (Jod, for ])ower." 

He was |)ious and conscientious all his life in the discharge of his duty, whether 
on the field, in the courts, or in the domestic circle. He believed, and acted on his 
belief, that the " jiath of duty was the way to glory." Instead of reaching after 
honors, it seemed to be his aim and effort to repress every aspiration of his heart after 
the fading glory and the vanit}- of this world. He had talents and eminent vn-tues 



34 
L-iuiugh t(i h:\\v adi)rnc(l ;iny stnlimi, anel \ f I aspired to iKiiU'. VUv tnith is, he was 
really ton j^dud for this world, and was hi at any nionienl to he translated tn the 
realms ol' a liri^hler and belter. lie was capahle oh no du|ih( ily. and lifted his head 
far alxne the \ile atinos|)here and putrid pools which frauds and \'i( e lio knot an<l 
,i;eiKler in. in his last moments his mind seemed to he meditating upon high priiu i 
]iles ill all the affairs of lite. He said: "l l)elie\e iii\- race is nearly run. 1 thank 
(Ii)d for all his lilessings, hut espe( iaily for this, that I ha\e ne\er defrauded any man 
or woman in m\ lil'e." and soon after he died in peai e with the world, looking ahead 
with a hriglil and ( ert.iin hope to the happiness and i row n of glor\ that are the inherit- 
anre of the pious and the good in that liright and heaulil'ul land of the hereafter that 
lies beyond the gra\ e. He was himself the siuil of honor, hut had no ambition to 
struggle after honors whieh he felt would wither in his grasp and beeome as tlry leases 
iti his hand. To him 

•■\\(irldl\ honors were like pujipies spread, 
Ndu grasp the (lowers, their bloom is shed." 

It was at his home, where all his tre.isures lay, that his eharaeter as a triih' go.xl man, 
a good husband and a gooil lather, shone the brightest. He married the onl\ woman 
in the wide world he e\er loNed, and lo\ed on till he died. .\ kind and affeetionate 
hither, he has left to his sons and his daughters the rii h inheritanc e (}f a good name, 
which they will guard as they would the apple of their eye. 'I'o his sons and to \()U, 
my young iViends, 1 will be permitted one parting word of advice; imitate his \irtues, 
and the storms of lite that burst in tempest on the heatls of so many, will dissolve in 
gentlest dew upon yours and spread a glorious sunshine upon \our brow. 

(lentlemen ol the ('larks\ille b.ir, we miss him here to-da\', as we will everv dav 
of our li\es. We all know how he lo\ed this charming little festi\ ity of ours, awa\ 
from the ( ruel and the cold, where naught but brotherly kindness prevails, and which 
he was mainly instrumental in inaugurating, and if it is permitted to the departed to 
revisit the s< eiies of earthl\' enjoyment, hi.s spirit will come around us to behold this 
paradise so pure and lo\el\, and will ho\er o\er us now; "too blessed if amid our 
gay cheer, some kind \oi<e should whisper, I wish he were here." 

Kii.MiMi ISkkkv Lurton, 

.\ t'ew months after the deli\ery of this atidress, l'',dmuiid 1!. lurton, another 
member of the bar, died, and Major Henry wrote and published in the Chivniiic the 
tullowing tribute to his menuir\ : 

It is ui\ melancholy dut\ to announce the death of Kdmmul Merry Lurton, a 
worth) member of the ('hirks\ille bar. He was born on the ist of November, 1S48, 
in Campbell count)', 1\.\. , and died at his home in C'larksN ille, on the ;,oth of No\eiii- 
ber, iSy.S. He was a graduate of the Law: Hepartment of Cumberland Lnixersity, 
Lebanon, Tennessee, and came to the bar in Clarksville in iS6c;, when he was just 
twenty-one years old, and at one e took a respectable position at the bar, and \ ery soon 
gainetl the contulente of the people, and e.\cited high expectations of future success 



a'ld iis''rul:icss in llic mind of the Iilmk li anil bar. I i ham cd to he in the c ourt r<iom 
who'll he ni.tde his i/c/'/// at tile har. and uas faMii-abh' impressed with the self-possession 
an<l digiii;v he ilis|jlayed in the |)resentation of his < ase to the court and jury. His 
was the well lialaneed confidence and self-possession w hii h knowledge always inspires. 
He made no apology for being a young man. nf)r did he beg the sympathy of the court 
and jur_\' on that ac count, but pro( t'eded ,it om c to fortify every |)Osition he took by 
the law books, with wliic h he uas familiar, and to demand a verdict from the jury 
bised upon the law and the testimony. He stateil his ( ase fairly, and ably argued 
ever\- debatable point with great force and earnestness, and relied upon the law and 
the les'.iminy for a favorable charge from the court and verdict from the jury. 

1 well remember a conversation I had with Colonel Bailey and some other older 
members c'f the bar, in uhii h I pretlii ted he would rise to eminence in his profession, 
a sentiment which met their entire c:oncurrence. Nothing but the loss of his health, 
:'.nd the total prostration of his physical energies, i;revented the fulfillment of the 
propliecy. Hut for these uncontiuerable bars to eminent success he would have been 
;u the early age of thirty in the front rank of his profession in Tennessee. Nor was 
he alone a g^iod lawyer; he was a fine and interesting speaker, a close and able 
debater, and woidd, had he been able to withstand the wear and tear of midnight 
piep.iration un the ( (institution, have rescued forensic eloipience from the decadence 
into whi( h, 1 fear, it has fallen. 

He has left a wife to whom he was devotedly attached, and two lovely children, 
a boy and a girl, to mourn over his imtimely death. He has left them the rich legacy 
of a ('hristian < haracter, and an untarnished name. 1 knew him well and loved him 
almost with the tenderness of a father. He was the soul of honor, and faithful even 
unto death to every manly sentiment and Christian virtue, and had all his life an 
unbroken confidence in the merits and promises of the Savior of mankind. It is a 
melancholy thing to see one so gifted have a life so brief. 

The day we buried him in Greenwood Cemetery, we stood around his new made 
grave with heavy hearts, under an inclement sky, but all felt though he left us on a 
bleak day, in rain and storm, that bright sunshine, balmy air and angel's choirs greeted 
him when he passed over the beautiful river which separates this cold world from the 
land of the blessed. He has passed the river safely, and has gained a refuge from 
the storm, and death is swallowed up in victory. Verily, verily indeed, what has 
])een our loss is hi.s- eternal gain. 

Edmund lierry Lurton, the bar who knew you best, and all who knew you well, 
will I herish your name and your virtues, and in'their names, I bid you, though the 
tongue falters on the word, farewell ! 

" No pearl ever lay 
Under Oman's green water, 
More pure in its shell 
Than thy sjjirit in thee." 



36 
GusTAVUs A. Henry. 




We may well conclude these reminiscences with a short sketch of the distinguished 
author, IMajor Gustavus A. Henry, who ilid not live long after the delivery of the 
address upon the life and character of Judge Himiphreys: 

On the lolh of Septeinber, iS8o, (nistavus 
A. Henr}- died at his residence in this city, in 
the 76th year of his age. \\'hen a citizen so dis- 
tinguished dies, the minutest detail of his life 
becomes a matter of interest to the world ; for hi.s 
memory must now take the place of the living 
man, and his history teaches the lesson his life 
illustrated. Mr. Henry was born of \'irginia 
ancestors, in Scott county, Kentucky, on the 8th 
of October, 1804. He resided in that county till 
his fourteenth year, when his parents moved with 
th'.-ir whole family to Christian county, in the 
same State. At an early period of his life he 
gave such promise of intellectual superiority, that 
he was given all the advantages of a thorough 
( lassical education, graduating from Transylvania 
University, then the leading place of learning in 
the whole South and West. From this alma mater 
sprang many of the greatest and nob'.est of our public men, contemporaneous with 
Major Henry, notably among them Jefferson Davis, who attended the school from the 
neighboring county of Todd, and it was here was formed that friendship between these 
two great Southern men that lasted in faithful trust and confidence to the end. Major 
Henry was so fitted for [lolilical life, that in his earliest manhood he represented 
Christian county in the Leji-^lature of i'..e:itucky, serving in that body the sessions of 
1831-32 and 1833. 

.\bout this time he formed '.he ,"( quaintancc cf Miss Marion McClure, the then 
admitted beau'y and belle of this city, and prospering in his wooing, they were mar- 
ried on the lyth of February, 1833. This e\en, ticcided, and doubtless greatly 
changed, the destiny of Mr. Henry; tor. while it brought him, as we all know, a life 
full of domeslic love, it shut him oiu forever from the brilliant political career then 
opening for him in his native State. Tiiat Slate, the home of the great Clay, and 
thoroughly Whig in its politics, was fast finding out and appreciating his ability. 
.\lready a great favorite of the people, and what was then of fully equal importance, 
of Mr. Clay, he would have been the next Member of Congress from the district he 
then lived in. With this start and these opportunities, those of us who knew him 
can, with prophetic ken, safely say his political career might have been anything he 
chose to make it; but coming to Tennessee, then as fully Democratic as Kentucky 
was Whig, and as fully under Jackson's as Kentucky was under Mr. Clay's domina- 



37 

tion. we can readily see it did not ojien a promising field for the realization of his 
])olitical ambition. Yet we find him always in the "fore-front of the battle," and 
though in a hopeless minority, still battling bravely, and we of the Democratic jjart)- 
may well now admit, in a manner well worthy a better fate. 

He was the Whig elector for this district in 1840; ran unsuccessfully against the 
Hon. Cave Johnson for Congress in 1842; was elector for the State at large for his 
part}- in 1S44, 1S48 and 1852. In 1851-52 he was in the Legislature of Tennessee, 
and in 185J ran for Governor against Andrew Johnson. Thus, though always leading 
the forlorn hope of his party, there was something so high and generous in his nature, 
that he performed every toilsome task assigned him without a murmur; hut while he 
did not obtain the positions he was thus a candidate for, so much had he won on the 
esteem of his fellow-citizens, that no sooner did the time come when men were to be 
chosen without regard to political antecedents, but upon the merits of the man alone, 
he was elected the first .Senator from Tennessee to the Confederate Congress. How 
he performed the duties of this high and responsible position, those who are best 
cajjable of appreciating them can testify, and they declare that in future history he will 
be to our revolution what his great ancestor, Patrick Henry, was to that of "76." 
In the Senate of the Confederate States — that body of the great men of the South — he 
ranked the peer of them all, and his services were more than once gratefully ac- 
knowledged by his old school-mate and friend, but then President of the struggling 
South. 

After the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and when the Mississippi River was 
\irtually in the possession of the Federal forces, Mr. Davis called on Senator Henry 
to make a speech to the people from his high stand-point in the Confederate Congress, 
for the purpose of inspiriting them and raising up their drooping minds in this, the 
darkest hour of our struggle. This sjieech he delivered, so powerful, so full of fervid 
eloi|uence, that at its conclusion the whole Senate, the Cabinet and President, who 
had honored the occasion with their presence, were found in compact group around 
the great orator, having been drawn, as they said, by an irresistible power from their 
seats in the Senate chamber. Of this speech Mr. Davis said: "Its reasoning was as 
powerful as the thundering cataract, and its eloquence as inspiring as the notes of the 
bugle sounding the charge, when the host is about to join in the battle." 

In early life Major Henry read law with Judge Robinson, of Kentucky, afterwards 
so greatly distinguished as the Chief Justice of the State. As a lawyer he was greatly 
distinguished, but more as the advocate than the jurist; his mind could not brook the 
toil necessary to become familiar with the multitude of its technical details. He could 
not scratch and pick like the barnyard fowl; the eagle's flight suited his nature and his 
genius l)etter. But in the social circle, with his brother lawyers, he shone without a 
compeer. In its ethics, where its honors and its graces were to be gathered and 
guarded, "we may not find his like again." Though he often descended to the levi- 
ties of life, he never forgot its dignity ; though fond of the ludicrous, it was never at 
the e.xpense of the decorous ; and though witty, the honey was always near the sting, 
to soothe the wound it wrought. 



38 

So far uc have omitted all reference to the eharaeteristics of Major Henry as a 
religious man. These, though the last in order of enumeration, are not the least, hut 
so sacred are the relations between the man and his (Jod, well may we approach this 
most delicate part of our duty with trembling, if not with awe. But to leave this part 
of his character, would be to destroy its beautiful and graceful svmmetry, to draw the 
tree without its foliage, the flower without its petals, the [jillar without its capital. 
Most prominently we would present it for its lesson to the younger generation, that 
they may see that e\ en his great mind dared not stand alone, but in the very fullness 
of its power reached out to clasp the cross and its sustaining faith. On the 4th of 
March, 1854, Major Henry was confirmed by Bishop Otey into the communion of the 
Episcopal church. Ever after he discharged the religious duties devolving upon him; 
as a member of the \'estry for thirty years, as the Senior Warden for years, he dis- 
charged his duties as he had done those that fell to his hand in the forum and in the 
Senate — earnestly, faithfully, ably. But his was not the religion that sought the market 
places or the street corners for the discharge of its offices, but modestly, unostenta- 
tiously, not to be seen of men but of (lod. Those of us who know his walks in life 
more intimately, know that his charities were many; not so often in the high but in 
the lowly jjlaces, as was well and touchingly attested by the brawny-handed Irish 
laborers, at whose spei. ial rei|uest the attendants of the Cemetery Company, whose duty 
it was to fill u|j the grave, were made to stand aside, and two of these allowed to cover 
up his loved form ; as if the hand of love could soften the sound of clods as they fell 
into the hollow grave, "thist to dust, earth to earth, ashes to ashes." Even as his 
Master placetl the manna in the desert jilaces by night, that the children of Israel 
might eat, .so with the unseen hand did he place the manna of his alms, in the ])laces 
made desert by disease and destitution. 

With his services in the Confederate Senate, may be said was ended the public 
career of this great and good man. The rest was but the fading shadow of the past, 
the echo of the original sound, the dying cadence of a song "that had been sung." 
With his speech, heretofore mentioned as made in the Senate, his career closed. This 
was his last great speech. Soon after his country fell, and from the shoulders of the 
•' old man eloquent" fell his great mantle, and no one has been found since who could 
wear it. Let us wrap it around him and his memory as a fitting winding sheet, for 
" .Ajax is no more; and no one can bear his shield or wield his sword." 

When the day was young and the shadowy recesses of his home were vocal with 
the songs of birds and brightened by the rays of the morning sun, he died. Without 
a pain or a struggle he passed away from life to death quietly, gently as an infant on 
its mother's breast. How fitting such a death to the man! All his life his voice was 
full of music, tuneful as the birds in the circle of his home, but when occasion came, 
iiigh and might\' as the silver-toned bugle awaking the slumbering valor of the bra\'e. 
Peace! peace! be to thv death slumbers! the peace of a well spent life, that guard and 
protect the grave, as no barriers of iron or brass could ever do, thy name rest in the 
ripe and fragrant memory of our heart. The pen of the future historian will place it 
high up in vour country's history. 



I A M fc> 



39 
E. Kaii.kv. 




We apiK'iid also sketches of Hon. James K. Bailey, Judge James Iv Rii e am 
Baker D. lolinson, all of whom are alluded to in Major Henr\'s address, and ha\i 
since died : 

James R. Bailey was horn in Montgomery 
county, Tennessee, August i5'h, iiS22. He 
died in C'larksville, December 29th, i<S85, hav- 
ing lived in the county of his birth all his life. 
He came of Scotch ancestry, a fact which was 
a source of pride to him, and he was ne\er 
more delighted than when o]jportunity was 
offered him to extol the sterling qualities of 
head and heart which, in his judgment, marked 
the Scotch people as one of the earth's master 
races. His grandfather emigrated to North 
Carolina, and his father, the late Charles Bai- 
ley, was born in Simpson county, in that State. 
He removed to Montgomery county, 'I'enn., in 
early life, and was for fort)- years Clerk of the 
Circuit Court of this county. Colonel Bailey's 
mother was Mary Bryan, a native of Robertson 
I ounty, Tenn., and the daughter of Colonel 
J. H. Bryan, a gentleman of liberal education, 
ability and of sterling character. 

Colonel Bailey acqiiired a literal education, having studied at the old Clarksville 
.'Vcademy, and afterwards at the University of Nashville, then presided over 1 y ti.e 
eniHient Dr. Philip Lindsley. In July, 1842, he was admitted to the bar, not being 
\et twenty-one years of age. He soon entered into a partnership with Cieorge C. Bovd, 
one of the most profound as well as brilliant lawyers of his day. This partnership 
was only dissolved by the early death of Mr. Boyd. He succeeded to the fine business 
(j| the firm, and from that date down to his election to the United States Senate, his 
was probably the leading practice of the Clarksville bar. He was subsecjuently the 
partner, at different times, of the late Colonel Alfred Robb, Judge Horace H. I.urton 
and Judge Charles (J. Smith. In I853 he was elected to the (Jeneral Assembly of 
I ennessee, and was largely instrumental in shaping and carrying out the jjolicy of 
internal improvements in Tennessee through State aid. A Whig by birth and educa- 
tion, he adhered- to the faith and fortunes of that party as long as an)- fragnients 
existed claiming to support its doctrines. He was an earnest Union man so long as 
there was any hope of its maintenance. He was elected in January, 1861, along with 
Hon. Cave Johnson and Hon. John F. House, as a Union delegate to a proposed 
<onvention to consider the attitude of the State. The same vote, however, which 
elected these gentlemen, was cast against the assembling of any convention, thus 



She was a woi-nan of much natural 



4° 
defeating the call by an enormous majority. \\'hen, however, war had begun, and Ten- 
nessee was called upon to either aid in the coercion of the seceded States, or aid them 
in resistance, he, in common with the great mass of the people of his State, warmh' 
es])oused the cause of the South. At the outbreak of hostilities, he was called upon by 
Governor Harris to serve as a member of the State Military Bureau, charged with the 
duty of organizing and equipping the troops of the State. He served zealously in this 
work for several months, and then resolving to take the field, he raised a company from 
among the young men of his count)', of which he was elected Captain. He was shortly 
afterwards elected Colonel of the regiment to which his company was attached, the 
Forty-Ninth Tennessee Infontry. He, with his regiment, participated in the battle of 
Fort Donelson, where his jiartner, the Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, was killed. 
Ui)on the surrender of the garrison. Colonel Baifey was sent, a prisoner of war, to Fort 
Warren, in the harbor of Boston, where he remained until exchanged, in September, 
1862. He rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg, Miss., it having been exchanged at about 
the same time, and commanded it until the Spring of 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Here 
his health gave way to such an extent that he was compelled to seek .service less exposed. 
He resigned the command of his regiment and was appointed a member of the perma- 
nent military court of the corps of General Harden. He held this position until the 
close of the war. Returning to Clarksville after the surrender of the Confederate cause, 
he resumed the practice of the law. The business that poured in upon him was enor- 
mous. The work required to keep it in hand was herculean. 

In 1874 his name, without any previous canvass, was presented to the Democratic 
St -t J Convention as a candidate for Governor. The support he received was large and 
earnest, but the nomination was given to James D. Porter. Hi was twice appointed to 
the Supreme Bench to fill temporary vacancies, once sitting a whole term in the place of 
Chi^f Justice Nicholson. Permanent position upon this high tribunal was always open 
to him, but he preferred the labor of a practitioner. 

In 1876, during the Presidential campaign, he canvassed the State in the intcres; 
of the Democratic party, speaking as many as fifty times, and winning great re])utation 
as an able political disputant. 

In January, 1S77, after the most [irotracted balloting ever known in a Tennessee 
Legislature, he was elected to the United States Senate to fill the unexjiired term of 
Andrew Johnson. Colonel Bailey's competitors were Judge D. M. Key and (leneral 
William B. Bate. He took high rank in the Senate. His speech upon the Thurman 
Pacific -Railroad Bill at once placed him among the greatest of the lawyers of that bod\ . 
His speech in favor of bi-metalism and the restoration of the silver dollar to the currency, 
was universally regarded as replete with information and unanswerable in its conclusions. 
The contest over the seat of Kellogg, of Louisiana, which was claimpd by Spofford, 
afforded him a great opportunity to again meet the great lawyers of the Republican party 
upon a great legal question, and his discussion in that case added much to his fame. 
While a member of the Senate, divisions arose in the Democratic party of the State in 
regard to the settlement of the State debt. He actively canvassed the State in favor of 
his views upon the suliject. The divisions and differences of opinions springing out of 



41 
this question resulted in cutting short a poHtical career which had given promise of great 
honor to the State. He was defeated for re-election on account of the divisions in his 
]iarty over the settlement of this question. 

His health began to fail the last Winter of his service in the Senate, and continued, 
with occasional periods of recuperation, to decline until his death. For some months 
immediately preceding his decease, he was a great and almo.st constant sufferer. This 
he l)ore without comjilaint or murmer, maintaining to the last a cheerfulness and ho|)e 
remarkable. 

.\ more thoroughly and well rounded character than that of James E. Bailey, it 
would be difficult to depict. He had a full, sound and well balanced brain. Study, 
reading and reflection had cultivated his mind until it worked as a well oiled piece of 
machinery. Slow to reach a conclusion, and cautious in its statement, conservatism in 
every department of thought characterized him. As a lawyer he was extremely labori- 
ous; no case was lost by his neglect. He was a great student, and had mastered his 
jjrofession as a science. Never given to quoting many cases or books, his habit was to 
resolve the (luestion presented to its first principles. He was eminently logical, so much 
so, that if his case did not bear the test of logic, he generally made but a poor presenta- 
tion of it. He was noted for his candor and frankness in debate. His custom was to 
surrender all doubtful propositions of law and fact and plant his cause upon what he 
considered its central or pivotal point. The readiness with which he discovered the 
turning ])oint of a cause was akin to genius. His general information and learning was 
considerable, and in his management of cases came much to his aid. He was full of 
resources, rarely at a loss to know the best thing the circumstances would admit of As 
a speaker he was extremely earnest and forcible. His logic, earnestness and readiness 
elevated him to high rank as a debater at the bar, and while he had few of the graces of 
oratory, he was entitled to rank as a forcible and eloquent speaker. His ability to 
clearly and completely state his case, was pre-eminent. It was the secret of many a 
jjrofessional victory. He worked with great rapidity, and his addresses were rarely long. 
He was all his life a great student, and his reading covered all departments of literature. 
He was excessively modest in his demeanor, and in his manner diffident. To him life 
was a very earnest thing, and full, too full, of duties, which he never neglected. His 
studious habits, his natural diffidence, his earnest, laborious life, alike contributed to 
create an impression upon the casual acquaintance of coldness and stiffness of manner. 
It was undeserved. To those who knew him well, he was the most warm-hearted of 
men. Charitable in every sense of' the word ; generous; he was ever a "cheerful giver." 
.•\ consistent member of the Presbyterian (."hurch, Iftit not a sectarian, his moral character 
was as high as his mental, and he was known of all as an honest man. His love and loy- 
alty to his friends were not to be shaken. He knew what a precious thing is a true friend- 
shi|), for he had many such friends. His affection for all who were connected with him 
li_\' the ties of blood was as charming as it was patriarchal. Their claims upon him he 
ever recognized and never cpiestioned. His domestic relations were exceedingly happy. 
He married, in 1849, Elizabeth Lusk, of Nashville, who survives him, together with five 
<'hildren — four sons and one daughter. He was as gentle as a woman, and was inca])able 



42 

of malice. In his bearing at the bar, he was exceedingly courteous, and stood upon 
the most severe ethics of his profession in his relation to his associates at the bar. 

Whatever character the Clarksville bar may be entitled to for their professional 
bearing, is largely due to his high example and earnest inculcation of professional honor, 
amity and courtesy. It has been difficult to speak of one so honored and loved with 
words of moderation. To many of his brethren at the bar, and the many of his old 
neighbors and friends, his relations were exceedingly cordial, and to these his will ever 
be a blessed memory. To those who were in the immediate sphere of his influence, his 
loss cannot be measured. From whatever standpoint he is viewed, his loss is a great 
one. A just man, a good citizen, an affectionate father and husband, the State, the 
county, the bar of which he was so long the leader, alike are proud of his name, his 
life, and his record. 

We copy in full the eulogy of Judge Horace H. Lurton, delivered at the memorial 
meeting held in Elder's Opera House, January 4th, 1886, to take action on the death 
of Colonel James E. Bailey : 

When a great citizen, weary with the toil of years, worn with the weight of duties 
and labors, "crowned with duties well done and honors well earned," when such a one, 
' ' beckoned by the shadowy hand, retreats from the din of life, and the gates have closed 
behind him forever,'' it is but decorous that those who are soon to follow him, should 
jjause and bear public testimony of the esteem in which they held him, and of the 
approbation which they know he deserved. Their utterances may not add one cubit to 
his stature, or one hour to his fame, but they strengthen and brighten the links of the 
chain, which bind men and fellow laborers together. 

To speak here, and upon such an occasion, of our dead friend, is at once a labor 
of love and yet the saddest public duty I ever undertook. That I bore to him relations 
peculiarly confidential and intimate, will always be a source of pride and gratification. 
I cannot trust myself to speak of him in this character. This companionship was too 
sacred a thing to find expression in this presence. The beautiful lines of George Eliot 
indicate the inadequacy of words ; 

"Speech is but broken light upon the depth 
Of the unspoken ; even your loved words 
Float in the larger meaning of your voice 
As something dimmer." 

It is easy to draw a picture of a man of marked peculiarities or extraordinary 
characteristics. The chalk and blackboard might strikingly depict a Ben. Buder or an 
Alex. Stevens, while only the more cultured hand could delineate the features of a Glad- 
stone or a Carlisle. So with mental and moral characteristics. The shining qualities 
of an Oliver Cromwell, or the eccentric genus of an Edward Randolph, can be easily 
drawn, while the more balanced cultured qualities of an Halifax or a John Bell require 
finer lines and a more discerning eye. 

Tlie character of James E. Bailey presented no striking characteristics. He owed 
no part of his success to the flashes of genius, or to the accidents of situation or sur- 
roundings. Gifted by nature with a full, sound, and well balanced brain, yet he carved 



43 
for himself by labors unceasing, every step he ascended in life. Guilty of no eccen- 
tricities of mind or habit, he was the most conservative of men, in all his mental 
characteristics. Never given to formation of hasty opinions, he was cautious in their 
utterance when once reached, and e.\ceedingly tenacious in holding fast to his faith in 
their correctness. 

He was an exceedingly full man, for he had read earnestly and with the spirit of a 
learner, through the whole range of English and American literature. It was not easy 
to find his information at fault, or even inexact. This fullness which comes from reading 
and reflection made him an interesting man, in the freedom of the circle of his asso- 
ciates, for whatever the topic of conversation, he was able to throw light upon it. His 
habits of study, his reflective disposition, and the laborious character of his professional 
labors, added to the fact that he was by nature an unusually modest and diffident 
man, had wrongfully created the impression among casual acquaintances, that he was 
an austere and selfish one. Nothing was further from the truth. He was as warm 
hearted a man, and as charitable in every sense of the word Charity, as it was ever my 
fortune to know. He was unpretentious in his intercourse with his fellow-men. He 
never professed a friendship or interest which he did not feel, and then in never half 
so strong words as his actions demonstrated. His judgment of men was never severe ; 
he was, in this respect, the most just and generous man I ever knew. Ever ready to 
form excuses for conduct he did not approve, he was incapable of malice, envy and all 
uncharitableness. 

After fifteen years of exceedingly intimate association with him, I unhesitatingly 
say, and with full consciousness of the weight of my words, that he was, when viewed 
in all the aspects of his moral and social character, the best man I ever knew. This 
integrity of character, whatever the circumstances, whatever the temptation, whatever 
the provocation, was absolutely unassailable. 

As a lawyer I knew him well, and believe myself capable of expressing a just 
judgment concerning him. He was the best grounded man in the science of law that 
I know of. The reason of the law was ever at his finger ends. He was never a case 
lawyer, never given to citation of many books. He went behind the cases, behind 
the books, for the principle which lay at the bottom of the proposition. He' had use 
for cases only as illustrations of the application of the principle upon which he stood, 
to a state of facts. He was remarkably rapid in his work. If he had not been, no 
living man could have managed the enormous business which he had for ten years 
succeeding the war. He was methodical as we'll as rapid, for without method, his 
business would have fallen into inextricable confusion. He loved his profession • he 
believed with all his soul that his calling was a high, noble advocation, worthy of the 
highest intellect and the noblest and purest of men. He believed that the foundation 
of all law was in the golden rule of doing unto others as you would have others do 
unto you, and that the restraints of law were necessary to compel even a moderate 
observation of this universal commandment. 

As a practitioner at the bar he was a very /(■///>/?/ chevalier. In high courtesy to 
his adversaries, to the judge upon the bemh, and tlie jury in the box. He was 



44 
irreproachabli; ; never guilty of a sharp practice himself, he had a profound contemi)t 
for whatexer savored of it. In his addresses to court or jury, he was sini])le and 
direct. He indulged but little in the ornaments of rhetoric, and had but few of the 
popularly understood qualities of an orator. He was the most logical of speakers. In 
purely legal discussions, he had few equals. The graphic clearness of his statements. 
the simple logic of his style, the direc-tness of his aims, the sense of sincere earnestness 
that he impressed upon his hearers, placed him without the mere graces of oratory 
fairly among the most powerful and successful of speakers. 

I have seen him at times when he had so thoroughly convinced himself of the 
righteousness of his cause, that his earnestness and logic rose to real eloquence, carry- 
ing all before him. His influence with courts and juries was almost unbounded. This 
was partly due to his great legal ability, partly to his own high character, and partly 
to the candid way he had of yielding all doubtful cjuestions, and planting himself upon 
the bed-rock of his cause. His favorite courts were probably the Supreme Court and 
the Chancery Court, though he was almost, if not fully, as much at home when before 
a jury. He was a very wise man about the management of a case, and here was a 
great element of his strength. I never knew a man who had more thoroughly the 
confidence of his clients. He deserved it. and he never would v'ontinue in a cause 
V. here he was not entirely confided in. I have known lawvers who, in a particular 
line of business, were his superiors. I have known LtwNers who were very much more 
eloquent than he. but taking him as a general practitioner, he was the best lawyer, in 
my judgment, which the State ever produced. As a judge, in the formative period 
of the law, he would have, in my opinion, equaled Mansfield or Marshall, Kent 
or Tanev. \\'ith his great love for his profession, and his great practice, the largest 
by far which ever fell to any lawyer at this bar, it can not be wondered, that all else in 
life was unimportant and secondary. 

Politics afforded him but an occasional interlude and a final afterpiece. He was 
not a politician in the commonly accepted meaning of the word, but yet in the higher 
sense, the true sense, he was a great politician. He understood the science of govern- 
ment as he understood the science of law. Springing from the mass of the people, he 
had a profound regard for their wants, their opinions, their aspirations. He was never 
an aristocrat in habit or sentiment. I speak whereof I know. He believed in the 
capability of the people for self-government, and was profoundly in sympathy with the 
Democratic institutions the world over. The Irish tenantry and the Scotch crofters, 
never had a friend who better understood their grievances or more heartily sympathized 
with their movements. Every speech he ever made upon the stump, or in the halls of 
the Senate, indicated toward which side his heart was turned. In the Senate his effort 
in behalf of the restoration of siher to the currency, and his great speech upon the 
power of control by the Federal Covernment over the Pacific Railway, are cited as 
illustrations of my characterization of him in this regard. Though thoroughly imbued 
with their ideas and opinions, yet he never shaped his course with the mere hope of 
( atching the ])opular breeze. Upon cpiestions invohing jirinciple. he stood firmly by 
his convictions, having an abiding confidence in the ultimate judgment of mankind upon 



45 
his motives and conduct. His high (juahties as a deep and original thinker, and his 
qiiahties as a statesman of the broadest type, are pre-eminently displayed in his speeches 
upon the siher iptestion and upon the Kellogg Legislature of Louisiana, while his great 
resources as a constitutional lawyer found a conspicuous field for display in his advocacy 
of the Thurman railroad bill. The latter effort at once placed him upon an equality 
with the great lawyers of that great assembly. These speeches, if he had left no other 
record of his life behind him. will forever preser\-e his memory from decay, and stamii 
him as the greatest of Tennessee's Senators since the days of John Bell. In many 
respects the likeness to the latter named statesman is striking. Neither had any re- 
markably bright or shining qualities, neither ]iresented any angularities or eccentricities 
of character. Both were men of depth, full men, sober, cautious, conservative men; 
both were very wise men; both were men of great reserve force ; both were men of high 
regard for principle, and little respect for demagogy. Neither were men of show or 
shallow pretence. The great earnestness of one, found its counterpart in the other. 
The solid and lasting qualities of the one are matched for the most part by the same 
substantial characteristics in the other. No injustice is done Mr. Bell by the compari- 
son ; it might be carried further, but the likeness is to those who knew and loved both, 
not a forced one. 

While a member of the United States Senate, the questions springing out of our 
State debt assumed very grievous shape. The position which he held as Senator from 
Tennessee in the Federal Congress, did not demand, in the judgment of many of his 
friends, that he should actively engage in the controversy over a question relating wholly 
to State jjolitics. It would be out of place here and now to speak the language of con- 
troversy. The motives of those who differed with him upon the question are not to be 
here adversely criticised. But of the dead this is to be said, and said because his own 
speech is fore\-er silenced, and he can be heard no more except through the fidelity and 
lo\ e of surviving friends, that from the beginning to the end of that unfortunate contro- 
versy, he was ever actuated by a high conviction of his sense of duty to himself, his 
people and his State. 

He was above all things a Tennessean. That his State should play a subordinate 
pan in National affairs, or do one act which should in any sense lower her proud 
standard, was something that could never enter his imagination to conceive. His con- 
viction that the debt of the State was a legal and honorable obligation, was to him more 
than a sentiment — it was a living faith. So believing, he maintained his views upon all 
occasions and at all places. He threw his whole soul into the controversy upon what 
he deemed the side of the maintenance of the honor and credit of Tennessee. He 
never ceased to do batde for these views, and it may be said of him, as it was of the 
I Knights of St. Johij in the holy wars: "In the fore front of every battle was seen his 
I burnished mail, and in the gloomy rear of every retreat was heard his voice of constancy 
] and of courage." 

I The divisions which occurred in his own ]jarty over the settlement of this iiuestion. 

I resulted in his defeat for re-election. He bore it with patience ; under it he was calm, 
I strong and self-])ossessed. He had to the last no bitter word or thought for those who 



46 
disapproved his action and opinions upon this matter, and standing here by his new 
made grave I can say of him, that he died with maUce toward none, and charity for the 
action of all. And is it too much to hope that, standing over this grave, the wounds 
which were sustained in that dead and buried controversy may be forever healed, and 
their memory forgotten? 

That question undoubtedly resulted in cutting short a political career which had 
opened so auspiciously, and which had already given sure promise of great fame both 
to himself and the State he loved so well. He left the Senate with the seed of the 
disease which finally resulted in his death. He was never a sound man after his return 
to his home. He bore his sufferings with great fortitude, and the Master's summons 
found him ready and willing to go. It has been said that in the last analysis nothing 
is left but character. If this be true, what a precious heritage has he left behind 
him I 

How grateful to the memory of those who were upon terms of intimacy with him, 
must ever be the recollection of his many endearing and kindly virtues. Strong in 
his attachments, affectionate in his sympathies, he clung to the ties of friendship, 
kindred and domestic love, with an ardor no time, no distance, no circumstance, could 
diminish. "The seasons in their bright round will come and go; hope and joy and 
great ambition will rise up as they have risen," but he will come no more. " His life 
is blended with the mysterious tide which bears upon its current, events, institutions, 
empires, in the awful sweep of destiny." No praise or censure, nor love or hate, 
nothing can touch him further. The lesson of his life to young men is encouraging. 
He loved the young men, especially those of his profession. They should cherish his 
name forever. With no unusual circumstance of situation, of time, place, or even 
natural advantage, he reached the highest walks of his profession, and a seat in the 
highest council chamber of his country. Labor and virtue, earnestness and integrity ; 
these were the stepping stones which he used, these the ladder by which he ascended. 
Better than great riches is a good name. This, this was his pre-eminenily ; this at least 
will ever abide. How better can I conclude than by quoting the magnificent passage 
upon the singleness of man by a heathen author: "Single is each man born into the 
world ; single he dies, and single the punishment of his evil deeds. When he dies, his 
body, like a fallen tree, lies upon the earth, but his virtue accompanies his soul. 
Wherefore, let man harvest and gather virtue, so that he may have an inseparable 
companion in traversing that gloom which is so hard to be traversed." 

B.'VKER D. Johnson. 

This prominent young lawyer died of pneumonia, on Sunday, September 28th, 
1S79. He descended on his mother's side from the elder Governor Dortch, who was 
the first (lovernor of Tennessee, appointed by General Washington ; his father, Wylie 
B. Johnson, was brother to the eminent statesman and lawyer, Hon. Cave Johnson. 
He was born in 1835, and educated mainly in Stewart College. In the Spring of 1862 
he entered the Confederate service in Woodward's Cavalry Regiment, and in that 
command was known as a fearless and spirited soldier to the end of the war. He 



47 
commenced the practice of the law in 1868, and was elected Attorney-General of the 
Coimty Court in 1S72 ; this office lie held till the begin'ning of 1878, when, his term of 
office having expired, he became a candidate for that of County Judge, but for which 
he was defeated by Judge Charles W. Tyler. He was of a temperament at once gen- 
erous and proud ; a true Southern man, such as our institutions and social habits have 
always tended to produce. He would have glorified in the epitaph which Themistocles 
desired to be inscribed upon his tomb : " No man of his time had done so much good 
to his friends or evil to his enemies," for he was a warm friend and a good hater, the 
natural impetuosity of his temper entering into both his likings and his loathings. His 
friends will remember the gentler traits of his character with sorrow; others will forgive 
his enmity now that it is buried with him in the grave. 

James E. Rice. 



James E. Rice was born near the border town 
of .\dairville, Ky. , but in the county of Robert- 
son, Tenn., on the 17th day of September, 1815, 
and died on Sunday, March 2d, 1884, at Clarks- 
ville, Tenn.; hence he was in his 69th year, lack- 
ing but one whole year of the God-appointed life 
of man, three-score years and ten. From Adair- 
ville, where after his matured manhood he lived 
a short time, he moved to the county town of his 
native county, Springfield, and for three years he 
there lived and labored to earn a support, and in 
the meantime study his profession, and was there 
admitted to the bar. Having to aid in the su]i- 
port of others of his family, he was thirty-four 
years of age before he could throw off the burdens 
of his early career and fit himself for successful 
competition with the bar of this Judicial Circuit, 
then, as ever, famed for the learning and ability 
of its members. At this period of his life he moved to Dover, Tenn., and there, in 
partnership with Judge Herbert S. Kimball, he began his career as a lawyer, and from 
that day till disease and death marked him for their own, his life was an incline plane 
of ever rising and increasing honors. 

His cottage home in Dover, the older members of the bar know, opened wide its 
portico and its portals immediately on one of the main streets, and was typical of the 
open-armed, genial and graceful hospitality of its owners, for in the meantime he had 
won that crown of every man's life, the love of a good and virtuous woman, and on 
the 7th day of May, 1844, at the home of her parents in Montgomery county, he was 
married to Miss Julia A. Dawson. Forty years of married life, full of all the unspeak- 
able riches of perfect confidence and a love that casteth out all fear, was the fortunate 




48 
fate of this union; blessed with just enough wealth to satisfy, but not to satiate, the 
wants of life, 

"Hand in hand they climbed life's hill together.'' 

It was in this home of love and hospitality that the now historical surrender of 
Buckner to Grant was made, and here, too, the wasting fires of undisciplined war 
began to follow in the footsteps of the contending hosts; and again typical of their 
cause, their sweet home was furled in the flaming banner, to rise no more. Espousing , 
the cause of his people, he gave his all and followed the flag till there was no flag to 
follow. 

After the war he returned to Montgomery county, and became permanently a 
citizen of Clarksville ; pursuing successfully his professional career, he was first made 
Attorney-General of this Judicial Circuit. At the first general election for State officers, 
he was a successful candidate for the Circuit Judgeship, and having been re-elected, 
held the office for a second term. He was succeeded in the next election by Judge 
Stark, and again became a practitioner at this bar, and in this capacity continued till 
his death, dying as the good soldier lo\-es to die, "in the harness," and with all his 
armor on, and 

"Never hand waved sword from stain more free." 

During all the time of his busy and hard-worked life, he ever found time to do his 
Master's work. \\'ith wonderful industry and accuracy, he garnered every text in the 
rich harvest of His Word, until they were not only of his memory, but imprinted on 
his heart, and their light became the lamj.) that guided his footstejis e\'L'n to the dark 
and narrow portals of the grave. Suih in brief and in tlie merest outlines is the life of 
James E. Rice. The full picture, touched by the aesthetic hand of a master artist, would 
make a picture so perfect in all its parts that even the rude, untutored savage would 
stand uncovered in the presence of its chaste and simple l)eauty. 

As a husband, he was a model; as a father, loving and beloved; as a neighbor, had 
he lived in that day, there would have been another good Samaritan ; as a friend, he 
was as true as steel and sharper than the sharpest steel, not to see nor to imncture the 
faults of those he loved, but to blind all eyes, his own with the rest, to their short- 
comings, and when without pain it could be done, with gentle hand to cut off every 
excrescence, until in his own true and loyal faith it became a thing of real beauty and 
of life. 

\\'ith the simple, artless nature of a child, he had the grip and the courage of a 
lion when injustice met him in his path or the oppressor jjlaced his iron heel on the 
neck of the poor and the weak, and the day M-as never too warm or too cold, the 
night never too far spent or too dark, for him to answer the cry of the suffering or the 
needy. 

As a Judge, he was upright and honest, but never had the credit for capacity he 
deserved, for with a clear perception and an accurate knowledge of his duty, the 
stronger forces of his nature were ever interfering, and made him ever lean to Mercy's 



49 
side. His tears liedimming his mental vision, Mercy sometimes took the scales from 
Justice's hands. 

Who is there of us who has not seen him, when after he had prepared his well 
considered charge, some skilled advocate, in the name of some aged father or mother, 
or oftener some young life in its very bud and promise, made appeal to his feelings, 
has not seen the warm, rich blood well up from the fountains of his heart, and with 
eyes almost too dim to see, catch his pencil and interline with some high, noble prin- 
(■i|ile of mercy so large and so powerful that it unbarred the jjrison doors and gave the 
poor wretch another chance for life, hope and Heaven. 

God made Judge Rice a nobleman; all the kings of the world could not have 
made him more so; courtly and dignified in his manners, yet he knew how to unbend 
and be a boy again in social and convivial hours. 



-^m^ 



THE UNIVERSITY MOVEMENT. 



STEWART COLLEGE. 

About the year 1850, the Masonic Fraternity of Tennessee founded in Clarksville 
the Masonic University of Tennessee, which school was conducted under the presi- 
dency of W. F. Hopkins, T. M. Newell, W. A. Forbes, and Wm. M. Stewart, suc- 
cessfully until the year 1855. At this time certain parties in Clarksville, in the name 
of the Synod of Nashville, purchased the buildings, grounds, etc., and the school was 
hereafter known under the name and title of Stewart College, which name was given 
in honor of President VVm. M. Stewart, who had been, and continued to be, a most 
liberal patron and friend of the institution. The Faculty was re-organized under the 
Presidency of Wm. M. Stewart, and the school was conducted by a Board of Trustees 
ajjpointed by the Synod of Nashville (Presbyterian). He served as President until 
1858, when Rev. R. B. McMuUen, D. D., was elected to succeed him. Prof. Stewart 
in the meantime continuing his lab.ors as Professor of Natural Sciences. The College 
was rapidly increasing in funds, appliances and patronage when the war came on and 
the school was of necessity closed. During the war the libraries, cabinets and appar- 
atus were lost, and the buildings were entirely dismantled in the fortunes of war. In 
1868-70, the buildings were rejaaired and refurnished at a cost of about eight thousand 
dollars. After some delay the Fai iilty was re-organized with Rev. Jno. B. Shearer, 
D. 1)., as President, assisted by a competent corps of professors. The school grew 
in favor and popularity more rapidly even than its best friends had expected. Nego- 
tiations looking to concentration of effort over a larger field were prosecuted diligently. 



51 
until in 1875 a new corporation succeeded to the property and funds of Stewart Col- 
lege, under the name and title of 

SOUTHWESTERN PRESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY. 

The idea of a great Presbyterian University has been long cherished and ably 
advocated by some of our leading thinkers. It became evident, however, that such 
an institution must be from the nature of the case in a certain sense local, and it was 
suggested that contingent Synods unite and thus supply by co-operation what no single 
one could furnish alone. In furtherance of this idea active negotiations began among 
the synods of the Southwest, in which region the want was most urgent. A meeting 
from five Synods was held in May, 1873. After a full conference a plan of co-opera- 
tion was agreed upon unanimously, containing also a succinct and lucid outline of the 
proposed institution. This plan of outline was adopted in the Autumn of 1873 by the 
{\\e Synods sending Commissioners, to-wit: The Synods of Alabama, Mississi]jpi. 
-Arkansas, Nashville and Memphis, and also by the Synod of Texas. The adojition 
was singularly unanimous in all the Synods, a fact of no small moment when we con- 
sider the distracting views which had for years divided our liest men on the relation 
of the Church and the School, and in view of the distinctly avowed purpose to make 
a school more distinctly Christian than heretofore. All parties are satisfied and all 
views harmonized by this jjlan and outline, and distracting questions are at rest. This 
is a great point gained. These six Synods the same year ajjpointed each two Directors 
to meet in January, 1874, and take charge of the enterprise. These Directors met in 
Memphis and found themselves face to face with numerous applicants for the location 
of the University. It was soon apparent to the Board that this ciuestion of location 
must be wisely met at the beginning, in order to avoid the rock on which so many 
educational enterprises had ajready split. A second meeting was held in May, 1874, 
and the various communities desiring the location, made proposals, many of them 
extremely liberal, and all indicating great confidence in the success of the proposed 
University. After a careful examination of all the proposals, the Board selected 
Clarksville as the location, and Stewart College, with its funds and appurtenances, as 
the nucleus of future operations. The former Faculty of Stewart College was con- 
tinued provisionally, and the school continued on the same scale as heretofore, until 
such time as the way might be o])en for the formal organization of the University 
projjer. In June, 1879, the Board of Directors abolished the curriculum and re- 
organized the school on the plan of Co-ordinate Schools and Elective Courses. Rev. 
J. N. Waddel, D. D. , LL. D., was elected Chancellor and Professor of Philosophy. 
Five other chairs were filled at the same time. In June, 1882, a sixth chair was filled, 
and others in 1885. The Faculty now consists of nine men, as follows: Academi< 
Faculty — John N. Waddel, Chancellor, Professor in the School of Philosophy; Rev. 
J. B. Shearer, D. D., Professor in the School of Biblical Instruction; S. J. Coffman, 
A. M., Professor in the School of Modern Languages; E. B. Massie, A. M., Professor 
in the School of Mathematics; G. F. Nicolassen, A. M., Ph. D., Professor in the 
School of Ancient Languages; Rev. Robert Price, D. I)., Professor in the Schools of 



52 

History, English Literature and Rhetoric; J. A. Lyon, A. ^L, Ph. 1)., Stewart Pro- 
fessor in the School of Natural Sciences; N. Smylie, Assistant Instructor in several 
Schools. Divinity Faculty — Rev. J. N. Waddel, D. D., LL. I)., Professor of Church 
Polity; Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, D. D., Professor of Theology and Homiletics; Rev. 
J. B. Shearer, D. D., Professor of Hebrew and New Testament Greek; Rev. Robert 
Price, D. 1)., Professor of Ecclesiastical History. 

This is one of the prominent educational enterprises of our city, and its importance 
cannot be over-estimated as an agency for the culture and refinement of the rising gen- 
eration, and as it thus directly acts, in its influence, upon the true prosperity and glory 
of our country. For while this may be said of the sister universities and colleges of the 
State, each in its own local sphere, exerting its own individual power and influence for 
the elevation of our land, yet when the combined results of the aggregate number of 
these institutions are summed up, they are seen to be so great as to transcend all power 
of estimate. But we testify only to our own knowledge, when we attribute to this most 
excellent University the full share of these noble results, of right belonging to it. Such 
an institution is not made of perishable material — buildings, brick and mortar. These 
are indispensable helps in its daily practical work. Hut the wisdom of all the past 
shows clearly that a minimum of material such as this, and a maximum of the finer 
attributes of a school of the higher learning should be aimed at by its founders. This 
University is in possession of two large and imposing public buildings, containing all 
the necessary lecture rooms, chapel for daily worship, cabinets of geological specimens, 
chemical, philosophical and astronomical apparatus, society halls, and a large, commo- 
dious and beautiful hall for Commencement and other public exercises, handsomely 
furnished. By the public spirit and fine taste of the ladies of the city and University, 
the grounds have been beautifully laid off" in walks and drives, and these have been 
solidly metaled and graveled, and shade trees and ornamental evergreens, with beds of 
flowers, adorn the campus. 

The Faculty consists of gentlemen highly accomplished in their various departments 
of instruction, of much experience, and great skill in the art of teaching. The students 
as a body, are characterized by studious habits and orderly deportment, and those who 
have had intercourse for many years with students in various Institutions have asserted 
that no similar body of young men ha\e ever excelled them as high-toned, honorable 
gentlemen. 

The healthfulness of the city is proverbial, and it is a fact gratefully to be recorded 
that during the many years of the existence of the University, and Stewart College (of 
which it is the enlargement) no death has occurred among the students. There is an- 
other feature of very great interest and importance which is no small advantage — that 
is, that students are boarded in the best families of the citizens, and the home influence 
is kept in perpetual operation during the whole period of the LTniversity course, instead 
of the demoralizing tendency of the dormitory system. To crown the whole — it is a 
Christian LTniversity. The Bible is a text-book in every class, as much so as any sci- 
ence or department of literature, and a strict observation of the Sabbath is required of 
every student. With these fundamental features we have now in our midst a School 



53 
of the Higher Learning, wliirh only needs to have its present respectable endowment 
enlarged to place it on an e(piality with the noblest and best. 
Wm. M. Stkwakt. 

Professor Wm. M. Stewart, in honor of whom Stewart College was named, died 
at his home here on September 26th, 1877. We append below a sketch of his life and 
public services, which was written soon after his death : 

Professor Stewart was born at Philadelphia 
in March, 1803. Anecdotes of his childhood 
exhibit him as the observant student of nature 
even at that early period. He is spoken of as 
devoting his spare time as early as the age of ten 
to observing and making collections of insects 
and shell fish. This tendency received a strong 
additional impulse when, at twelve years old, he 
was sent for his health on a voyage to the West 
Indies, where his powers of observation were 
exercised on an immensely enlarged field of study. 
In 1832 he came to Tennessee, his first residence 
being at Lafayette Furnace. His great scientific 
actjuirements largely promoted his successful pros- 
ecution of the iron business, in which during 
twenty years he accumulated a considerable for- 
tune, and in 1852 he moved to Glen wood, his 
present residence, about two and a half miles 
from Clarksville, where in a happy and respected seclusion he devoted himself to the 
scientific pursuits which have been his leading occupation nearly down to the day o( 
his death. The studies of his childhood prefigured those of his manhood and old age. 
and his collection of the bivalve moliusea of the Cumberland River now in the museum 
of the Southwestern University is probably unequalled for its completeness. 

When the meteorological discoveries of Lieutenant Maury (another distinguished 
i^ev?/// of Tennessee) had occasioned that elaborate system of observations extending 
over the inhabitable world, and reported at the Smithsonian Institute, which has estab- 
lished meteorology as a science of most important practical application, Professor 
Stewart was among the first of the scientific men employed in these observations, and 
records of his long continued labors in this depaiUment are almost unique in their 
value, being one out of only three such series which were prosecuted uninterruptedly 
in the Southern States during the war. These were only discontinued about six months 
before his death. 

Some years before the war, when the establishment of a college at Clarksville was 
set on foot, Professor Stewart was an eager promoter of the enterprise, and both with 
money and labor contributed essentially to its success. For several years he and the 
late Dr. E. B. Raskins gave their gratuitous services to the institution as Professors 





Presbyterian Church. 



55 
in the chairs of Geology and Chemistry respectively, and so high was the recognition 
of his ability and zeal in the matter, that the infant institution was named in his honor, 
Stewart College. 

The war severely tried his fortitude in many respects, his relations to lioth sections 
of the country being such as to render the ordinary sorrows of civil strife peculiarly 
l)ainful in his case; and at the close of the war he found his fortune impaired as well 
as his feelings lacerated. Christian resignation softened the.se afflictions, and the 
liatient prosecution of his scientific labors diverted his mind from them. This was the 
jieriod at which the present writer first had the privilege of his acquaintance. He 
found him in every respect one whom it was happiness to know, his clear intelligence 
and abundant information on every subject to which conversation could be directed 
rendered his society always profitable, and the subdued cheerfulness and high-bred 
courtesy of his manner made it as delightful as it was profitable. His was the best 
manner of Philadelphia society of fifty years ago; he had the grace of Chesterfield 
without his chill, the heartiness of the Western man without his roughness. 

For two years before his death the infirmities of age began to tell ominously on a 
frame originally delicate, and his friends began to feel that the happiness derived from 
his society could not last long. About six months ago he was compelled to turn over 
his meteorological instruments to Professor Caldwell, of the Southwestern University, 
being no longer able to prosecute the observations which had so long constituted the 
leading occupation of his life. It is our belief that nothing contributed so much to 
hasten his death as this sacrifice; very few knew what a sacrifice it was. When he 
could no longer prosecute that which had so long been his leading object of interest 
in this life, it seemed as if he looked e.xclusively to a future state as the object of his 
asi)irations, and one of the last sentences we heard from his lips was: "It is not much 
for me to say I am resigned. to death; it is more that I am resigned to living until God 
shall be pleased to relieve me." It is not then for him, but for ourselves that we 
mourn. 

'• Ve.\ not his ghost; oh let him [lassl he hates him 

That would, ui)on the rack of this rough world, 

Stretch him out longer." 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 



The Presljyterian Church, on the corner of Main and Third streets, is one of the 
largest buildings in the city. It was erected by the Presbyterian congregation in 1877. 
The corner-stone was laid May 19th, 1876; on May 26th, 1878, Dr. Palmer, of New 
Orleans, stood in the finished pulpit, and united with the congregation in dedicating to 
God's worship a church whose cost had been about $43,000, of which sum, on dedica- 
tion day, not one cent remained unpaid. The building is of pressed brick, with white 



56 
stone trimmings, with a beautifully finished and furnished interior, and with a magnifi- 
cent organ upon the left of the pulpit, which each Sabbath day sends up its full-toned 
voice of |jraise. This church stands now, substantial, firm and spacious. The throbbing 
pulse of a city's heart beats restlessly around it; all the years of its life it has been a 
city church ; all the years of its life has Clarksville Presbyterianism been a thing sure 
and established. 

But far down the road up which years have hastened, lie scattered way-marks of 
an earlier time ; a time when city church and city life were alike unknown in Clarks- 
ville's little village; when of Presbyterians there were few, of Presbyterian churches 
none whatever. "The groves were God's first temples. " In a wood called now the 
"Tompkins Grove," was sown the seed from which this Clarksville church was sprung. 
A certain eloquent divine, known near and wide as Dr. Gideon Blackburn, would cross 
to West from far East Tennessee, and in this grove would preach to eager listeners. 
He was himself a Presbyterian ; his hearers were all who had learned of his coming. 
He made frequent visits; his eloquence is said to have been so thrilling that, although 
his sermons were ordinarily of three hours' length, and extraordinarily of four, none 
from the crowds who came to hear him ever left the grove till close of service and not 
one went to sleep. He sowed broadcast the seed of Truth ; in after years it grew and 
blossomed fairly. 

Sixty-four years ago its earliest fruits were seen. Fourteen persons met together on 
May 25th, 1822, and having assented to the articles of faith and rules of discipline 
adopted by the Presbyterian church in the United States, they were regularly consti- 
tuted into an organization to be known as the Presbyterian Church of Clarksville. The 
Rev. Lyman Whitney, of Connecticut, a missionary from the Connecticut Society, 
acted as moderator of the meeting, and the newly organized church received, that day, 
two members upon examination, John Patton and Ann Maria Pattillo. Then, five 
months later, came Dr. Blackburn to see the church, whose seed his hand had planted. 
He administered the sacrament to the little congregation, saw eight new members 
added to its roll, then went his way, and from this time his name appears no more upon 
the records. 

The church grew very steadily. It had no consecrated place of worship, no pastor, 
or even stated supply. But it neglected not the assembling of itself together — some- 
times in private houses, sometimes in the Masonic Hall, oftenest in the County Court 
House. Ministers from other places made it occasional visits, communion services 
were held at distant intervals, new members were added frequently ; the Presbyterian 
Church was growing. 

From the year 1835, the preaching of the word was much more regular. The 
Rev. Consider Parish (now residing in this city), Rev. Wm. A. Shaw and Rev. A. W. 
Kilpatrick, ministered often before the congregation, and in 1840, Mr. Shaw was 
appointed stated supply, and Mr. Kilpatrick directed to labor at his pleasure in the 
church. The plant of grace brought from the old oak-grove was tended very care- 
fully. It grew to strong and vigorous life. The sunlight of God's love fell freely on 
it; and there came a day when, to give it fair room for blossoms and fruit, the building 




i>Ariij.T Chlkch. 



57 
of n house of worship was begun. Previously to this time, in November, 1835, d sub- 
scription of $2,300 had been raised for the same [)urpose, but the church was not built 
until 1S39 or 1 S40. It stood on the site of the present building, and the Rev. Andrew 
H. Kerr, who ret ently died at Memphis, was called to be its earliest pastor. A salary 
of $800 was annually paid him. and he remained witli the Clarksville church till 1846, 
when he was succeeded hy Rev. John T. Hendrirk. Dr. Hendrick gave to this church 
very nearly thirteen of the best years of his life; it was with most reluctant consent 
from his |)eo])le that the Nashville Presbytery of 1858 dismissed him to Paducah. After 
him, came Dr. T. 1). Wardlaw and Dr. D. ( ). Davies. 

Mnally, in 1872, Re\'. J. W. I.upton, of Virginia, accepted the church's call and 
tor twelve long years has labored within it. If the hearts of his people can form a tie 
to bind him, he will live his life and die his death as their welbbeloved pastor. In the 
fifth vear of his pastorate, the nld grev chiin h was torn away, and the ]jresent spacious 
building was erected. The churc h has now an actual mend)ership of two hundred 
and eighty souls, a large and lloiirishing .Sabbath-school, and three mission schools in 
as many different neighborhoods. In addition, it has under its care the colored Pres- 
byterian church, which church has grown out of a little Sundaj'-school, begun about 
twelve years ago by Professors Dinwiddie and Coffman, of the University. Thus 
stands the Clarksville Presbyterian Church. Within her walls is perfect peace; pros- 
perity is all around her borders. The seed that Dr. Blackburn sowed was God's own 
seed of Christian truth; it has not returned to Him unfruitful. His tender care has 
been about its growth. His eye, through three-score years and four has watched it; 
and bud and bloom and fruit have come because it is "a vine of His own planting.'' 



-i^^' 



THE liAPTlSr CHURCH. 



The Ka[)tists commenced settling in Clarks\ille and its vicinity while the place was 
a sinall village. Some years before this, the Rev. Reuben Ross, a minister of the 
denomination, located on Spring .Creek. He occasionally preached to such as he could 
gather together, at a school hou.se in the town, or at the homes of some of the mem- 
bers. In the year 1836, the preaching of Mr. Ross had been so successful as to justify 
their organization into a church. It is true, their material resources were exceedingly 
limited. They were mostly com|K)sed of what is usually called, the common people. 
Because of this, their form and manner of worship, had little in it to attract the curious 
and the irreligious. .As ministers of the gospel were scarce, and the field in which 
Mr. Ross labored was so very extensive, he could only occasionally jireach to the 
l)rethren in Clarksville. The Baptists then had no meeting house, and they had to 



58 
));)lil tlu-ir inci'tiiiijs in ilif Court IIdusl' or such other houses ns tlu'v ( (UiKl secure. 
I'"in.ill\- :i church edilue \\:is huill. ll \va> erected u|ioa tlie Southe.is: ( cirner of llie 
I li upon uliii h the C"oiu-| House now stands. .Mr. Ross continued to preach for this 
small body ol' hehevers, and lie was so |iopuiar as a minister, and so successful as a 
preacher of the gospel, that lie soon had quite a popidar con^reiiation. lie continued 
his faithftd laliors for some \ears with Clarksville Chunh, and to the eiiil of his min- 
i-;tr\- was held in liigh esteem li> the entire (ommunitv. 

.\l\er .Mr, Ross closed his work, he w.is lollowed in regular successiim until the late 
war, by Re\ . R, !'. .\iulerson, Re\. Wm. .Shelton, Re\. Mr. Ripley, Rev. Joseph .Mantou, 
Re\ , Mr. Ihmcan. aiiil Re\. W. (i. Inman. I'hese were all iiiltured men, ai\d were well 
iiu.difie.l m;ellec:uall\ , theologu ,ill\ , andnior.dK, lor the work which the I .ord as>igiied 
them. No church can c laini more ele\ated i h,ir.icter for its ditTerent p.istors. than <aii 
Clark s\ille Church tor hers that preceded the commencement of the late war, .\t 
that time the cliurch h,ul become numericalK strong, and she had during her history 
been l)less',\l with a number of members eini,d in all the elements of Christian character 
to any of tlie citizens of the touii. .\mong tliem can be named Joshua Brown, Jessee 
I'.ly. J. U. Rust. S, .\. -lawyer, \V. C. iJarksdale, V. V. Fox, K. H. Kly. and others. 
,\ great many colored ]>eople then belonged to the l!a|itist church. The congregation 
e\v-ept these liecame broken up and sadly scittered by the war. 

in January. 1866, Rev, ,\, 1), Sears took the care of the i hiirch. There were 
then but twenty-five ])ersons enrolietl as members. Of these onl\ two lit'ths were effi- 
i ien;, I'he first thing done by the congregation under the lead of the new |)astor, was 
the re-organization of the church. I!y that act the colored church became sejtarateil 
from the whites, anil nimicricilK tlu\ h,i\ e since h,id a wonderful increase, so that tlic\ 
are now more numerous than an\ other class of belie\ers in the city of Clarksville. In 
1866 the iiajitist t'hurch started upon a career of prosperity, and ha\e now reacheil a 
memliership of 225, 

Ouring the Summer o( 1S67. the building of a new church edilue began to be 
agitated. It culminatcil bet'ore the end of the year in a practical scheme for its final 
acconi]>lishment. In carrying forward this object, ^^r, Sawyer, of New N'ork, con- 
tributed a liberal part. The corner stone of the new building was laid by the Masons 
on the 27th of llecember, u'sd;. It was done under the authority of the drand Lodge 
of Tennessee, the Hon, John Fri/zel officiating on the occasion. In the Summer of 
1868, the Imsement was occupied by the congregation, 'The main audience room was 
not finished for a tew years. When completed, the church was formally dedicated in the 
presence of an immense audience, the Rev, Or, Helm, of Kentucky, preaching the dedica- 
tory sermon. It is proper, however, to notice at this point, that the spire of ihe church 
has never been finished, and this accounts tor the tact that no cut of the edifice appears 
in this history. The Ladies" .-Vid Society have made ample arrangement for speedily 
finishing the church in handsome style, and the work will soon be completed. The 
Baptist congregation is now fully and systematically organized lor carrying out, accord- 
ing to their understanding of the teaching of the New Testament, the obligations imposed 



59 
l)y the commission of Christ. In addition to the regular service on the Sabbath day. 
the following named societies and bodies are continuously engaged in prosecuting the 
charitable, missionary and financial interests of the church : There is a general prayer 
meeting on Friday night in each week; a young men's prayer meeting on Wednesday 
night in each week; a female prayer meeting on Tuesday afternoon in each week. In 
addition to these, there is a Ladies' Aid Society, a Female Mi.ssionary Society, a Star 
Missionary Society, composed of members of the Sabbath School, a General Mi.ssionary 
Committee, and for the edification and encouragement of the younger members of ;he 
congregation, there is a Penny Club, which meets on the first Tuesday night in each 
month. The pastorate of Dr. Sears has continued from January, 1866. 

While it might be deemed in bad taste to individually name the women of the 
church in this history, they have in the Baptist Church, as they do in all churches, con- 
stituted the most active workers in all charitable and benevolent operations, and it has 
been the peculiar fortune of this church, to have during all its past history, a band of 
noble women who have continually worked for its prosperity. 

Rev. a. D. Se.\rs. U. D. 

Rev. Achilles Degrasse Sears, D. D., the subject of this sketch, is of Norman 
l)lood, being a de.scendant of the Sears family which has existed in England since the 
Norman invasion. Wm. B. Sears, grandfather of Dr. A. D. Sears, came from England 
and settled in Fairfax county, Virginia, near the village of Centerville (originally called 
Newgate), which has since become historic. 

Dr. Sears was born in Fairfax county, Va., January ist, 1804, and at the age of 
nineteen he settled in Bourbon county, Ky., where he studied law, and where his 
career commenced. Being a young man of graceful form, handsome features, gallant 
bearings and bright intellect, he was at once admitted to the front rank in the be.st 
society, and succeeded in winning for his companion through life Miss .\nna B. Bowie, 
one of the first ladies of the country, whose force of character impressed itself on every 
one. Her ancestors were from Maryland, but .she was born near Millswood, Clark 
county, Va. They were married March 25th, 1828, and had four children, two sons 
and two daughters. They all died in childhood except one. Mrs. Marietta Major, who 
now resides in Clarksville. 

Dr. Sears was raised under deistical influences; his ambition to defend the doctrine 
successfully lead him to investigate the subject, and the investigation interested him in 
religion. He was prejudiced against religious tiSachers because of the differences and 
strife among the denominations, and did not attend the preaching of the gospel at any 
< hurch. He was more bitter against the Baptist than any other church on account of 
'h e practice of immersion, which he regarded as supersticious and indecent. Therefore 
he determined to rely on the Bible in his in .estigations. and commenced the earnest 
study of the great book of books, which he pursued diligently for nearly a year. The 
Spirit, it seems, came to his assistance, and the more he read the more he was imbued 



r.o 

with llu' liiMulirs of the system of tin.- Christian i\-li,L;ioi. and Ik- soon roa( licil the con- 
cliision that true liappincss depended on trustiny; in (lod. and lliat to he a Christian, 
was to lie liorn a^ain, and that baptism was immer>ion, and that it was the dutv of ever\ 
hehe\er to he ha|iti/eil into the name of the l''ather. Son and IIol\ Chost. He had 
iie\er heard a liaptisl prearli, nor taken \\\v trouhle to in\es(iL;ate the do< trine, until 
after he hed exeriised helii'f in Christ; then reacHiin Andrew fuller's "{lospel Wdrthv 
of all Acceptation," and Ihidiii!; the teac hiiii;s c ciiii;enial with his expeiienc c, his I'aith 
in spile of his prejiidiee drcn e him to the liaptist c hmc h, and himself and wile were 
hapti/ed at the same time li\ Ke\. Ryland !'. JJillard, at I'.ryant's Station, in Klkhorn 
ri\er, on the icjth of July, iS;,,S, I )r. Sears w.is solemnlv impressed with the beaiitiftd 
lljjiire ill immersion given as a c luirc h ordinanc e to teac h the resiirreetion, and from that 
moment felt impressed with the dutv of pre.ic hing the ( lospel, and determined to pre- 
pare himself for the ministry without letting any one know his feelings or purpose before 
he was fully ready lor tin- work. Hut notwithstanding his secret purpose, it seems that 
his church was also impressed at the .same time that it was his duty to [)reach. and 
without waiting for the course of pre|>aration pl.inned b\- him, to his great surprise he 
was very socm c ailed on to pra\" in public , and was cpiite soon licensed b\- the church 
to |ireach. and in a few mcuiths was ord.nned b\- a |iresbyter\- composed of Re\s. R. T. 
Oillard, {•'.dw.ird Harnaln' and josiah l.eake. The ordination took place at l)a\id's 
fork .It a called meeting on Saturda\ before the third Siiuchn in l''cbruar\', 1S40, 
according to Baptist I'orms. Thus he was pushed into the mii;istr\' before he was near 
read), ac cording to his own thinking, and forced to combine practic e with studv, 
.ipphing himself cliligentK. I'our da\s alter the ordination, he engaged with Rev. 
James M. I'rost in a protracted meeting at the I'Orks of Klkhorn in I'Vanklin county, 
Ry. lie ccmtinued seven months, giving his time to protracted meetings at Frankfort, 
Georgetown and Flemingsburg, and preaching once a month at Stamping (Iround and 
once a month at the Forks of Elkhorn. He was not the pastor of either church, but 
the people liked his preaching, anil e\en those out of the church joined in a pressing 
invitation for him to jireach once a month, and sustained him liberallv for the service. 
.\t this time the Missionary Board of ISracken .\ssociation. at Maxslic k, ap]iointecl him 
missionary, with a salary sufficient to support his t'amil\. It is wonderful how Cod 
blesseil his work. While his family remained located at Flemingsburg, his home, he 
itinerated through three or t'our counties destitute of the Cos])el, and holding proiractetl 
meetings w ith various churches soliciting his servic es. The first year he preac hed three 
hundred and sixty-six sermons, baptizing a great man\ comerts. He held a meeting 
with KIder Curry, pastor at Shelln\ ille, Ky., in Ajiril. KS40. preaching twice a dav for 
:wi) weeks, which resulted in the lia])tism of one hundred and Ibrty-nine persons. This 
was followeil by a meeting at South lienson, where cpiite a number united with the 
c hurc h ; then at Hurk's Branch, where he preac hed two weeks, and bajnized sixty-six 
persons. His success and fame as a minister was spreading among the Baptist people 
throughout the Stale. The F'irst Bajitist Church, Louisville, sent a pressing invitation for 
his help, to which he acceded, beginning a ])rotracted meeting the last week in |ul\ , 



1.S42, \vhi( h cDntiiuicd ciglit weeks, resulting; in his hajjlizing one hundred and twenty- 
five converts. He was then called to the jjastoral care of the Louisville church, which 
he accepted on the ist of September, 1842, and this ended his evangelical and mis- 
sionary labors for a time. Dr. Sears had been in the ministry but a little over two 
years when he a< cepted charge of the Louisville church, in whose service he continued 
as pastor seven years, and during the lime baptized over three hundred persons. He 
resigned the care of this church in July, 1849, to acce[Jt the appointment as Oeneral 
-Agent of the General Association of Kentucky. He spent a year in this work, travel- 
ing and preaching. He held four protracted meetings at Silve.sa, Mercer county, 
Henderson and Hopkinsville, Ky., and one in Indiana, in which over two hundred 
and fifty people were converted. He was called from this work to the care of the 
Hopkinsville church in July, 1850, which was then one of the strongest Baptist congre- 
gations in Kentucky. He continued as pastor of this church twelve years, during 
which time he baptised about three hundred converts. 

The war came up, and Dr. Sears, being intensely .Southern in sentiment, excited 
the prejudice of the Federal authorities, and had to surrender the care of the Hopkins- 
ville church, abandon his home and seek freedom and .safety in the South, where he 
remained four years, preaching one year at Macon and one in Columbus, Miss., as a 
mere supply to the.se churches, and the balance of his exile was spent as a missionary 
of the Southern Board of Missions in preaching to the Confederate army. Mrs. Sears 
remained in Hopkinsville to take care of their home and effects, surrounded by warm- 
hearted, influential friends, who, notwithstanding the excitement then prevailing, never 
]jermitted her to be disturlied. During this period a circumstance occurred which 
deserves to be told in this connection as an incident in the war history. After the 
elapse of over two years. Dr. Sears, discovering the way open, desired to see his wife, 
and came to the Tennessee Iron Works, known as the Baxter Furnace, where he was 
most hospitably entertained by Mr. Alexander Jackson. This was in the midst of try- 
ing times, first one side and then the other holding the country, and when both armies 
were absent the guerillas held sway. It was then that the courage of the noble women 
of the South was put to the test, and the many virtues and true devotion of the timid 
gentle spirited females of the beloved Southland, were made to shinS on the war jjages 
of the Confederacy brighter than the diadems of any royal sovereignty. The able-bodied 
brave young men had all gone to the front, and our beloved women had to take their 
places and brave dangers that even the old men who remained at home dared not do; 
undertaking errands that would "be considered dangerous now, amid profound peace. 
Dr. Sears made known his desire, and Mrs. Jaclcson started immediatdly with a letter 
to Mrs. Sears, which she managed to forward from Clarksville to Mrs. Sears in Ho]>- 
kinsville. Mrs.'Sears was very soon in Clarksville, the guest of Dr. Haskin.s' family. 
Meeting Mrs. Jackson, she learned all the particulars, and directly the ladies were busy 
with ([uiet preparations for Mrs. Sears to go through the lines. Dr. Haskins thought 
he could jjrocure a pass for Mrs. Sears, and without intimating his purpose to the ladies, 
(ailed on Colonel Bruce, cammander of the post, and in the interview Dr. Haskins told 



Colontl Bruce that Mrs. Sears was then at his house making arrangements to go to see 
lier husband at Tennessee Iron Wdrks. Colonel Bruce told him to tell Mrs. Sears that 
she need not go, that he would issue a pass for Dr. Sears to go through his lines at 
will, and that he might come and stay as long as he ]jleased and return w hen he wished. 
Said he, "tell her I want to hear Mr. Sears preach." Dr. Haskins, feeling that he had 
a pleasant sur|irise for the ladies, carried the good news home in a gleeful spirit. But 
the ladies mistrusted it ns designing mischief, and were thrown intci a state of conster- 
nation. Their ])lans were tliwarlcd, and the\' were all liable to be arrested, and Dr. 
Sears captured and punished as a rebel spy. Dr. Haskins appreciated the situation, and 
called on Colonel Bruce again for assurances, and was given a pass for Mrs. Sears 
through the Federal lines and return, with permission to carry lier husband whatsoever 
she desired, not subject to e.xamination, and further assured her that she should have a 
trusty guard through the lines if she desired, and that Dr. Sears should not be inter- 
rupted. This message was most gratefully received; it relieved all apprehensions, and 
Mrs. Sears, after purchasing aH the articles desired for her husband, started on the 
trip, accompanied by Mrs. Watkins, sister of Mrs. Jackson, and Miss Florence John 
son, now Mrs. Cammack. Crossing the ferry Mrs. Sears was observed to have several 
bundles, principally clothing for her husband; the guards, with Mrs. Johns, insisted 
that the bundles should be searched, and the pass of Colonel Bruce would not have 
protected her but for the kind interference of Mr. Hugh Dunlap, who ha])pened to be 
present, crossing the river, and allhough unacipiainted with Mrs. Sears at the time, 
declared that he would take the lady back to headquarters sooner than she should be 
'reated with such indignity, and Mrs. Johns yielded, and the guards suffered her to 
i)ass. Mrs. Sears spent a month with her husband, the guest of Mr. Jackson's family, 
where the\- were kindly treated, when he returned to the front and she started home, 
but on arriving in Clarksxille recei\ed notice from a friend in Hopkinsville that the 
Federal commander in Kentuck\- would not penr.it her to return to Hopkinsville then, 
and she did not return for nearly a \ear, remaining in Clarks\ille. Mrs. Sears did not 
neglect to thank Colonel liruce for his generous courtesy, and that act served to 
strengthen the conlidence and esteem of the entire rebel element for Colonel Bruce, 
who was the most po|iular Federal post commander in the Confederate territory. It 
was more than a year after this before Dr. Sears returned, and when he did (ieneral 
ISurbridge forbade his entering the State (jf Kentuck\, and (leneral Palmer, who suc- 
ceeded Burbridge, notwithstanding the importunities of influential friends, reiterated 
the prohibition, and permission was not granted him to return until 1865. 

This finally resulted in the location of Dr. Sears in Clarksville. There were then 
iwentv-live Baptists in the citv. Dr. Sears called them together and reorganized the 
( hur< h. and ( ommemed a pn traded meeting in the old church on \\ hat is now part 
of the Court House sciuare. whii h was successful, and he was chosen pastor in January. 
i,S66, which relation has ne\er been changed, and in no probability will be until he is 
(ailed to that blissful reward which awaits ( iod's faithful servants. Dr. Sears set on 
foot at once a mo\e to build a good ihurch house to cost about $25,000. Notwith- 




Mrs. a. D. Sears. 



63 

standing the congregation was weak and the membership poor, the work was prosecuted 
with untiring zeal and ener:jy, and by degrees the work was accomplished and paid for as 
it [)rogressed, and the cause prospered greatly in his hands during the time, the mem- 
liershijj soon increasing over two hundred. The old saying, and generally a true one. 
that new churches always change pastors, was not verified in his case. He had become 
so engrafted in the affections of his congregation, that nothing could separate him from 
the love of the church, and the ties have continued to grow stronger with each succeed- 
ing vear. As illustrati\e of the esteem in which he is held, the writer will relate a 
circumstance which brought the church to the test. About ten years ago the jjastor was 
subjected to a severe attack of pneumonia. Physicians pronounced the chances against 
him from the beginning, and he seemed to grow worse daily. His situation was dis- 
cussed with deep concern liy the congregation, and solemnity was depicted on every 
face. Finally on the afternoon of the ninth day, the doctor said the crisis had come, 
and without a remarkable change for the better by midnight, he was bound to die. The 
deacons sent around notice for the congregation to assemble at the church tor united 
prayers for the pastor. The house was filled; it was the largest prayer-meeting ever 
witnessed in t'larksville. and the most agonizing prayers offered that was ever heard. 
The congregation for an hour was greatly exercised, and suddenly a feeling of calmness 
came over the audience, and the meeting adjourned, and that very hour the doctor 
examined the ])atient and said to the nurses present, "he is decidedly better, and will 
get well." 

Dr. Sears is now in his eighty- third year. His face is a little furrowed, and his 
hair slightly gray, but his eyes are bright and he stands erect in the pulpit and preaches 
two sermons every Sundav with more |)ower of eloquence and Gospel sweetness than 
ever. His meetings are well attended, and gf)od attention paid to his ministry. He 
rarely ever jireaches over forty minutes, and never reads a sermon. He is a student, 
])repares his sermons well, and often when enthused with his subject takes lofty flights, 
thrilling the hearts of his hearers by his Gospel eloquence. One characteristic which 
gives force to his preaching, is that he knows when he has made a ])oint, and leaves it 
for his hearers to digest without undertaking to show what the point is, presuming iqion 
the ignorance of his audience, therefore his sermons are short and appreciated. He 
commands the greatest respect and attention from any audience. The writer never 
heard him administer reproof to any one in the audience for disrespect. His preaching 
is ])lain and easy of comprehension. He exercises a wonderful influence over children. 
He is always urging members to bring their little -children to church. Few ( ongrega- 
tions have so large a proportion of children, and it is astonishing how attentively the 
little ones listen to his teachings, and how soon they catch his points and learn to repeat 
something said that has impressed them. He is thoroughly imbued with the missionary 
spirit, and rarely preaches without emphasizing the command to spread the Gos- 
pel. He uses every opportunity to indoctrinate his people, and spares no occasion 
to repro\e the sins that are constantly creeping into the churches. No matter who 
is guilty, he does not spare the rod, and is afterward thanked for it. People never 



64 
tire of liis pn-aihiiii; ; thoro is al\v;ivs a fi-i'sliiu'ss. soniolliiiii; now and uriginal. in his 
si'inioiis. 

l>r. Soars and uitV iclcbratt'd their golden wedding eight years jiast. and ever\- 
vear sinee the ladies of his eongregation pay some attention to the anni\ersary. They 
lioth dehght in reeounting the happy e\ents of their bright wedding day. and wliat is 
remarkable. ever\- anni\ers.ir\- sine e (the J5th of Mareh) has been a lieauliful. bright 
balmy day, bringing niusie in every sonnd. sweet perfumes on e\eiy bree/e. and new 
jovs budiiing like llowers in e\ er\ thought to bless their liappy married life. Mrs. .Sears 
was born Julv 25111. 1707. and is now in her ninetieth year, still ,ieti\e. able to attend 
service regular, visit, etc.; attends to her own house l<eepiiig. eulti\ates her llowers, of 
whieh she is \erv fond, ele, Mrs. Sears is a lady of superior inielleii. and has given 
her liusband great assistanee in his studies, and mueh comfort through lite, always 
looking at the bright side, possessed of a cheerful spirit and ,i he.irty good will. \'er\- 
few people are blessed with such extraordinary social .pialities. Pleasing in manners, 
interesting in tonversati(m. bright in repartee. si>arkling in wit and humor, and keen 
in sircasm when sarcasm best suits the demand, and ,it her present ripe old age. tew 
people are so charming in conversation. 

It should have been stated in another connection, that I >r. Sears ligured con- 
spicuously in the establishment of Hethel College at Rnssellville. and I'.ethel female 
College at Hopkinsville. Soon after the close of the war. aboiu \^h-. he was elected 
Moderator of Hethe! .\ssociation. at the meeting in I !opkins\ ille. ,ind served one term. 
.\ftor the organization of Cumberlantl .Association, he served four terms as Moderator, 
and declined the fifth election on the grounds that he did not think it best for the cause 
that any one should be continued in the office so long. 

During his ministry of forty-seven years, he has perhajis baptized over two thou- 
sand persons, having baptized some nineteen during the I'lrst half of the [jresent year, 
converts under his regular preaching. During the forty-seven years he has never 
served as pastor of but three churches, Louisville, Hojikinsville and Clarksville, now 
twenty years in Clarksville. Few ministers have been called upon oftener to solemi/.e 
the rights of matrimonx . and preach commcnccmeiu and introductory sermons. He 
preached the commencement sennim before the Southern Baptist .\ssociation at Mont- 
gonierv. Ala., in 1S47. which was attended by oxer three hundred ministers. Dr. 
Sears has also been a most zealous and active Free Mason through lite, reaching the 
very topmost round of the ladder in the order. He has delivered a great many Masonic 
addresses in Tennessee and Kentuckv . and served in all the high stations. He was 
elected Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar c^f Tennessee in 1S70. 
and served the usual term. He is now Past Crand Commander, and a prominent 
member of the Crand Encampment of the United States. His days are full of love's 
labor, his years bright with honors worthily won, and his lite blessed by the approving 
spirit of a loviiig and alhvise Providence. 



Mi;rnni)isr i:ims(()1'.\i, ('hirc ii, soi in. 



The socictv kiimvii in the ilm ords of the 'Ic-nnts^ce Annual ( 'onk-rcni c sini|)l)' as 
" ( 'hirksvillc Station," was organi/cil as a i hiirch at a very early date in the history of 
the town near the liej;inning of the present century, and worshi|jed for some years, 
tradition sa\s, in a huildini; of a \erv temporary character somewhere near the Ciun- 
lieiland Ki\er. The ( hurc h gained in niniihers and resources as the town grew, and 
in 1.S32 liiiih the first hrirk ( hnrch e\er erected in Clarksville, on the corner of I'mirth 
and Main stret-ls. Thi-, was o( < upied by the Methodists from iS.-^z until 1.S41. The 
first sermon preac hed in it was deli\ered just fifty four years ago by Re\'. John H. Mc- 
i-'errin, 1), I)., who still lives, a leading member of the church and its general agent 
for the management of its great Publishing House at Nashville. 

In 1.S41, this chun h was sold to the Cumberland Presbyterians, and the .Vletho- 
dists erected a larger building on the corner of Fifth and h'ranklin streets, in whi( h 
they worshiped until the ist of September, i<SS;,, when it was also sold to the Cuinber- 
land Presb\ terians, «ho now oci up\ it. 

There many a battle has been fought, many a victory won, and an inlluem e 
e.xerled upon the (oumiunity and the surrouniling countr\' the value of which can 
hardly be estimated. The records of the annual conference having been burned in 
the fire at the Publishing House a few years since, we have no reliable information as 
regards the pastors of the ( hurc h prior to the -\tWunin of 1841. Since then the ]iulpit 
has been occupied by Re\'. l'^. H. Hatcher, appointed Novendier, 1841; |c)hn W. 
Manner, appciiiued November, 1842; Milton Ramey, ajjpointed November, 1S43, and 
remained cuilv a short time; Josei)h K. Douglass, aiJjjointed to siipjily his place; Joseph 
11. Walker, appcjinted No\ember, 1844; .\dam S. Riggs, appointed November, 1845; 
.\le\ancler R. Frwin, apjiointed November, 1846; Lewis ('. Bryan, ap|)ointed Novem- 
ber, 1847; Samuel 1). lialdwin. apjjointed ( )ctc)ber, 1848-49; Thomas Maddin, ap- 




M I I H( iniM Cm Kc H. 



<>1 

pointed ()<ti)l>er. 1850-51: riiomai W. Randle, a|)[jointed October. 1852-53: A. k. 
Krwin, appointed Octolier. 1854: A. Mizell, appointed October, 1855-56; Joseph H. 
West, appointed October, 1857-58; W. 1). p". Sawrie, appointed Octoljer, 1859-60: 
\\ . (j. Dorris, appointed O<:tol)er, 1861-62-63-64; R. S. Hunter, appointed October. 
1865: Wellborn .Mooney. appointed October, 1866-67: |. R. I'hiininer. appointed 
( )i tober, 1868-69; John V. McKerrin, a[>pointed Octolier, 1870-71-72: W. M. (Jreen. 
;tp|)()intc;d 0.t()l)..-r. 1873: J. R. Plummer, appointed October, 1874; R. K. Browp.. 
appointed Oitober. 1875-76-77-78; James I). Barbee, ajjpointed October, 1879—80- 
81-82; v. I.. Moody. ap|)ointed October. 1883-84. and W. R. Peebles, appointed 
October, 1885. 

■|"he Presiding Klders of the Clarksville District within the same period have been: 
A. I,. P. (Jreen. John \V. Hanner, John F. Hughes, Joseph B. West, R. S. Hunter. 
A. Mizell. R. P. Ransom. William liurr. Wellborn Mooney. R. K. Hargrove. John 
P. McFerrin, James .\. Orman, and J. W. Hill. 

The corner stone of the new church was laid on Tuesday, Sejjtember 26ih, 1882. 
The building is very consistently gothic in its proportions inside and out. ornamented, 
however, in front with Corinthian columns, at sides of entrance and of the tower win- 
dows, that add very much to the elegance and lieauty of the structure. There are two 
towers, the taller of which is 145 feet and the other 120 feet high. The front elevation 
has a very imposing and attractive appearance, as it is well proportioned and the brick 
w(jrk is richly ornamented with cut stone from foundation to roof The roof is sup- 
])<jrted by iron bridge trusses, manufactured by the Pittsburgh Bridge Company. The 
roof trusses have been boxed with wood in ornamental style, and between the trusses 
the under side of the roof ceiled in hard wood panels, which gives a very beautiful and 
airy appearance to the main auditorium, which is 76 feet long by 51 feet 6 inches wide, 
with a semi-octagonal alcove in rear of the pulpit, which is intended to be occujjied by 
the choir and organ. Contracts have been made for highly ornamental cathedral glass 
for the windows, and the audience room will be elegantly furnished with solid black 
walnut pews, well cushioned. The gas fixtures, a combination of polished bronze, 
copper and glass, will add very mu( h to the beauty of the room at night. The floor 
of the audience room, from midway to the doors, is elevated twenty-four inches, which 
will enable persons sitting towards the doors to see the speaker. The room will seat 
comfortably irom 500 to 600 persons, and with the gallery, when crowded, 800 or 900. 
The Sunday-School room below, 48 feet by 51 feet, and 13 feet high, is light and airy, 
elegant and comfortable in all its appointments.. Connected with it by wide double 
doors, is the infant class room, 27 by 30 feet, a delightful place for the little ones. 
Then there is what is called the ladies' parlor, 18 by 18 feet, and the pastor's study 
ind library, 20 by 13 feet. Contracts have been made for a handsome iron fence on a 
I ut stone base, and when that is finished the whole structure, which is a model of 
symetry and proportions, will be one of the greatest architectural ornaments to the city 
of Clarksville, and take it altogether, one of the most elegant and < omplete <hiirch 
edifices in Tennessee. 



iiiK. ri.ARKs\ II 1 i: I i:m \i 1'. .\< amkmv 



The (-■larksviUe Female Academy was organizeil as a . harteiod insiiuui..,, o( learn- 
in- over lortv vears ago. The public-spirited citizens ol" our tou n l.clicvc.l then as 
others believe no«-. that CNory facility should be given the youth of our land, both 
male and female, to obtain a first-class education. These public-spirited citi/en>. 
mostly of the Methodist persuasion, inaugurated the effort to establish .i first-cla^> 
Female .\cademv in the Town of t'larksville. 

With this end m view, subs.riptions were solicited and lil>eral-minded men came 
forward and gave of their means, for the purpose of establishing a school of high grade 
for young ladies, without, of cour>e, any expectation of any pecuniary remuneration. 

' The stockliolders. as shown by the stockholders' certificate book, were as follow >. 
each share rei)resenting$i5.oo: 

A. C, Hrown. 4 shares: T, F, Tettus, .^o shares; H, W. Macrae, 8 shares: T. Mc- 
t'ulloch. ', .-shares; T. Anders..n. .^ shares: Jno. F. Hughes, ; shares; F. Miller, 2 
shares: \V. Bagwell. 2 shares; W. 1". Hume, .v.s share: i:. I.. Williams, 2 shares: G. 
A, l.igon & Co.. 4 shares; W, B. follins, .; shares: IVter (VNeal, 4 >li-"-^'>-- M'>- 
Hodgson & Maguire. 4 shares: Dr. B. l'.. Haskins. 4 shares: Frank S. Beaumont, 12 
shares: Jno. F. Couts, 20 shares; jno. F. House, S shares: Jas. H. Williams. 4 shares; 
C, 1), Mimms. 4 shares: Mrs. V. C. Boyd, 8 shares; \. K, I.eavell, 20 shares; Dr. 
W. H, Draiie. 20 shares; S. Kellogg, 4 shares: Jos, B. West. 12 share>; Dr. J. W. 
Cabaniss. 4 shares: J. N. Barker. 20 shaues: W. H. tuUiat. 20 shares; W. H. Brv- 
arly. 4shares: Wm, Broaddus. 3 shares; W. &J. K. Broaddus. 8 shares :T. W. Wisdom. 4 
shines: C. W. Macrae, 2 shares: S. Hodgson, 2 shares; C. C. Smith. 2 shares; .\. 
Robb, 20 shares; Thos. Cross. 6 shares: C. H. Roberts. S shares; W, F. Fssery. 4 
shares: 1. T. Richardson, 4 shares: W. M. Shelton. 2 shares: Jas. A. (irant. 2 shares; 
1. 1,. Wyait. 1 share; R. H. Pickering. 4 shares: Jos. Grant, i share; W. B. Mun- 




'%-'^r* 



69 
ford. 4 shares; H. !•'. lieaumont, 34 shares; S. F. Beaumont. 28 shares: M. H. Clark, 
4 shares; J. H. .Marable, 4 shares; Dr. J. Cobb, 19 shares; |. (). pawing, 4 shares; 
Hardy Campbell, 2 shares; J. M. Young, 4 .shares; R. S. Chilton, 7 shares; J. S. Majors, 4 
shares; T. I). Leonard, 4 shares; W. (). McReynolds, 3 shares; Tennessee Annual 
Conference, 32 shares; J. P. Rogers, 12 shares; J. M. Swift. 10 shares; W. N. Ussery, 
6 shares; F. (). Hammer, 20 shares. 

It is a current belief that the Tenne-ssee .\nnual Conference was the largest stock 
subscriber to this enterprise. Indeed, the catalogue of 1877 .says; "The property was 
jturchased by means of stock subscriptions, to which the Tennessee .\nnual Confer- 
ence was the largest contributor." Uy reference to the list of subscribers, it will be 
seen that Henry F. Beaumont subscribed for thirty-four shares, while the Tennessee An- 
nual Conference subscribed for thirty-two shares. The writer states these facts in 
justice to one long since dead, who loved his church and rc^nference better than he did 
any rejjutation for liberality. 

After the.se subscriptions were made, the home of .Mr. .Mien Johnson, situated on 
.Vladi.son street, was purchased and additions made to the buildings, .so as to fit them 
for the fturposes for which they were intended. It will not be inappropriate here to 
(juote the catalogue of the Rev. J. R. Plummer (1877): 

"The Academy was established as a chartered institution of learning in 1846, 
under the presidency of the Rev. Joseph E. Douglass, D. D. The property was pur- 
chased by means of stock subscriptions, to which the Tennesee Annual Conference was 
the largest contributor. The Rev. A. R. Erwin succeeded Dr. Douglass in 18 — . The 
School was re-organized under a new charter, with an increase of stock, in July, 1854, 
and the Rev. A. R. Erwin. D. D., was re-elected President. In 1855. Dr. Erwin re- 
signed in favor of Maj. John T. Richardson, and in 1856, the Rev. A. L. Hamilton. 
D. D.. succeeded Maj. Richadson in the presidency. In 1859, the necessities of the 
case requiring it, the Academy buildings were enlarged by the erection of the three- 
story building in the rear, in which is the large study hall, recitation rooms, and 
dormitcries. " 

In 1862, the Academy buildings were occupied by both Confederate and Federal 
forces, as a hospital, .^fter the close of the war between the States the building was 
found to be out of repair, the grounds in a delapidated condition, and it was under- 
stood that both had to be put in thorough repair before a school could be established. 
In this condition Rev. J. B. West, D. D., was called to the presidency of the Academy, 
he agreeing to put the buildings and grounds jn repair, and conduct the school for a 
number of years, iri consideration of rent for the buildings. Dr. West was succeeded 
in September, 1873, by the Rev. J. M. Wright, D. D.,and in September, 1876, the 
Rev. Jas. R. Plummer was chosen to take charge of the school, and conducted same 
until 1881, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Jno. S. Collins, of Memphis, Tenn.. 
who filled the position of President until October, 1882, when he resigned. 

No regular .school was maintained, after the resignation of Prof. Collins, at the 
Academy until .September, 1884, when .Miss Bettie Burgess, an exj^erienced teacher 



iiul clog. nil Hoin.in. \\,is i hust'ii lii > umliu l ,i mIihhI im il\o lifnofil ol iIiom- wlui li.iil 
>;irls and \om\j; latlii's lo rthuato in I'larksvillo. Simo ih.u il.Ui', Miss linijji'ss, now 
Mi's. Itiiloi'd, has Ihth iIu- |iiin«i|>al, .iiitl has ko|ii u|> ,i innsi CMi'lU-ni m liodl, Hiih 
1(1 .iMo assisianis. 

No institution in iMarksv ilU' luis i\on iscil iiumi' iiilhuMuc lor ;4ooil ili.m h.is thi- 
I'larksvillc l'\-niaU- .\i',ulcni\. I'lioi to, ,iiul loi soiiu' \ imis alter ilu' l.iU' w.ii , iluio 
was a jin-atcr dcntanil lor siu li an iiistinuion lurr tli.m ilu'rc has ln-oii ol' iau- \tars, ,il 
:lu>uj!;h thoir is a doinaiul luiw loi .1 Ins; > l.iss I'linaio .'si hool, «hi<li ili'inaiui. 11 i-- 
ho|ii>(l> will so >n ln' lilli'ti. itoloiv tho war ilu- Somhcnu'rs wort' rich, aiul, hoing aMc. 
sent their dauj-hti-is to lirst-tiass schools, just alter the war tlu- Southerners, clinj;iiii; 
to the leelinjt that their (l,iuj>hters, who lor live years had lieen deprived of educational 
laeilities, shotdd be hijjhly educated, sacrificed the coniloris and necessaries ol" lite 
!v> give tl»eir ilaughters such an education as hail heen custontary under the old system 
It will l>e re.idily seen, therefore, that the schools of l>r. Maiuilton, just prior to tlu 
«ar, was full hecause the inlluenre in hehall" ol' the institution had developed, and tiic 
M hool of l>r. West, just alter the war, was lull because of the recognition of South 
orners that their ilaughters should he educated at any sacrifice. 

Following Or. West, cime that ripe scholar. Or, I. M. Wright. Succeeding him. 
came Or, J, K. I'iumnicr, \vhv> was In-loved li\ p.iiroii ind pupil. Siuceeding him w.is 
Re\. J, S, tollins, 

t,>f the various presidenis who h,i\c heen in ch.oge ol the Acuicnn. the following 
lie yet living: l>r. J. H. West, now p.isti>r of Tulip Street (.'hiirch. Nasluille; l>r. J. 
M. Wright, now jwstor of the Methodist fhurch. .11 (lall.itin; Re\. j. S, t'ollins. who 
s te.iching in Missouri. 

In oriier to acionimoilate the l.irge niimher of resident and hoarding pupils, who 
Mice were drawn to (."larksville In the lame of the C'larksville Female .\cademy, larger 
luildings have been erected. It was I'ound. after the re-organi/ation of the system of 
:ViH' schools, and the increase in number of .\cademies all over the South, that these 
liuililings were too large and too costly to maintain in repair to accommodate the 
>ehool. which the Trustees could reasonably hope could be kept up at the (."larksvilic 
l-'emale .\cademy. So, in iS.St), the (.'hancery fourt, at riarksville, was asked to per 
nit the s.»le of a consiilerable portion of the grounds, ami a large portion of the buildings 
of the Female .\ca»lemy, in orvler that a more modern building, yet smaller, might W- 
creeled, whiih would be iheaper to keep in repair, and at the s;»nH' time, alVord to 
i-'larksville a ttrst-elass finishing school at this point. That legal proceeding is still 
; "ending. The hope and belief is entertained that, .within the next year or two, on tlu 
leautif'.il gr»>unils retainevl for the purpose, an ele^jant modern .school building will be 
eret-;ed. wherein yoiuig ladies will be educated, who, in literary attainments and wo 
manly iharacler, will \ ie with those who have heretofore relleetetl lu»nor on i>ur eit\ . 
.IS alumni of the f'larksville Female .\cadcmy. It would be well here to give the 
\a(xu's of all the gradtlatvs of this institution: but iixability to give the. names t»f all. 
suggests that it would be better to give none. Hut whenever this sketeK is seen In 



7' 
a former jiupil o( ih<r ( l;irksville Female Aradcrny, her heart will warm towardH her 
alma mater, and will, in most instances, grow sad at rernernljering the death of s'^me 
good woman who was a schoolmate. 

The iJoard of Trustees, as at present ronstitiitcd, is as follows; C, (). Smith, Prcsi 
dent; Jno, J. West, Secretary; Jno, F. House, H. VV. Macrae, F, CJ, Irwin, K. H, 
Ix-wis, Jno. F. f'outs, K, S. Hroaddiis, S. F. Ueaumont, S, A. Caldwell, k. M. I'ick 
erin>(, Jas. L. Glenn. 

These gentlemen have the good of the Af:ademy at heart. They ho[;e f> wjon re- 
instate that institution in all its former [prosperity. Indeed, it is confidently predi<:tc<l 
that within eighteen months from this lirne, the T'larksvillc Female Academy will afford 
to young ladies every edur.ational facility offered at any time in the past. 



Tin; niki.s/iA.N riiLkrii, 



The congregation of lJis<:iples of ('hris', lonly known, the Christian 

' -' h, was organized in Mccemljcr, 1H42, by ihc folk^ning pers<^ns mutually agreeing 
lier to take the Word of CJod, as contained in the <^Jld and N'ew Testament Scrip- 
. as their only infallible guide of faith and practice: W, F. Fall and wife l)c\>(>hrii 
. Harriett Fall, Miria Kinney, I/,'olin Klrlings and wife F^lizabeth Ivldings. 
.:ine Barker, Amelia f^^ve, Mrs. Black, John 'ITiurston, F. B, F/verett and wife 
n Kverett. The minutes of the early days of the church are so imi>erfcct and 
.'re, but little information can be gained from them, and but little time ha* iHrer, 
ri the writer to consult with persf^ns who vfi:re members in the early days of the 
''-•gation. 

The congregation met each IxtrtVs flay for worship, for many years, in a school 
': on .Main street, now j^rt of the residence of f/eorge L. Carlisle, having prea';hing 
'-•n as (Kwsible, on which occasions they would w;cupy the Court House, or the 
-nic Hall, then kx;ated on P'ranklin street. We notice that Elder H. S. Fall, then 
now of Frankfort, Ky., preached fw them .soon after their organization. 'I'he 
' h continued to grow in numl>ers and influence. Folders Jesse I), and John Fergu 
yiri (»rea<;hing once a month for several years. 

In (S48, Klffer Henry T, Anderwn had charge of the church, after which no nf/tice 
vi.-n a of regular preacher for several years, though the congregation was kept up. 
hipping regularly every Ixjrd's flay. 

In 1851, a Ifjt was secured on the f.f^mer of Thirfl and .Mafli.scjn streets, anfl th«- 
prcsent house f>f wf^rship was built, though twice added tf^ sinf;e. In 1853-54, Folder 



7^ 
John I'LTgiisdii prcai bed oiii c a iiKimh. frdin whic h lime till iS5() lui rccoid a|i|icars of 
irregular pixnu her. thoiiL^h the chun h had iirearhini; uftcn from siu h ]in)niiiK-i)t Klilers 
as Fanning, John I', juhnson, C M. l>a>, 1'. S. l-'all. and odicrs. 

In iSsg. l'',ldor W. ('. Roil^iers tcxik charge antl remained until 1861. During the 
■rdulilesome times until 1.S65. main things conspireil tci interrujit the regular services, 
thnugh the irRanhership were faithful, recei\ing aid fnim I'^lder A. S. lohnscin. who did 
a ni)!>le work in uphnliling the cau^e. At the cinse of the « ar, Idder James Iv. Miles 
was called to the care of the ( hur( h, and l)\ his zeal and earnestness, the congregation 
rapidly iiureased its memliership, as well as its usefulness, taking up the mission work 
at New rro\iden( e and other points in the count\. The death of this good man in 
1S71. lelt the I hurch without a preacher, hut his zealous teaching ha\ing hrought mit 
the talent of the membership, it was well taught liy IS. [•'. ( 'milter, J. K. Rite, R. W. 
Humphre\sand Dr. Hernard. while h'.liler ( ins. Johnson was always reach to gi\e his 
time and talents to the work. In 1.S7J, hdder 1''.. 1!. C'hallener was |jastor. In 187,^. 
1874 and 1875, l'".lder |. M. Strealor, afterwards so well known in this entire section, 
faithfully ser\ecl the c hurc h. 

In 1875. I'-l'lcr W. .\. Ilroadhurst was called to the charge of tiie c cingregation, 
and ministered I'aithliilU until the c lose o( 187c}, doing valiant ser\ ice for the cause of 
his Master, and endearing himsell' li\ his eminent ipialities of head and heart, to the 
entire communit\ . 

In 1880 and 1881, Elder 1. J. Spencer preached for the c hurc h. He being called 
to a field of greater usefulness, kit the pulpit \acant, though the church enic.\ed the 
teachings of its KIders, Rice and liernard. h'rom .\pril, 188^. to A]iri!. 1884. Elder 
N. R, Dale was the preac her. 

From June to September, 1884, the congregation was served 1>\ ('. .\. Dinsmore. 
a student tVom llible College, Lexington, K\. In December, 1884, W. T. Donaldson 
was called to the charge of the congregation, and continued imtilljnne, i88(>, when 
he resigned. The c hurc h at present is without a preacher. Though b\' death and 
reino\als in the past few \ears the c hurc h has lost most of its working members, and 
its membership much reduced in nmubers, the\ meet for worship e\ery Lord's cla\. 



FRINITN' CHLRCH. 



TrinitN ( 'hurc h (Episcopal), ol' w hie h the cut accompaiiN ing this sketch is a t'aitht'ul 
I .■presentation, is situated on Fra.nklin street, and stands on the site of the old church 
which w.is torn clow 11 a lew \ears ago to make room I'or this edifice. The building is 
a line spec imen of ecclesiastical architecture. It is of ranged roc k masonry, the material 
being obtained from the natural formation of blue limestone which is found in this 
vicinitv. The stone is of soft grav tint, and is trimmed with other stone from the 






c%^ 




klM I \ ( 11 1 ki II. 



7 t 
lldulint; ('.rti'H i|uanirs. I'lfU miks liisl.inl. I'lu' slriH lure i^ oiir lumdrid .ind >i\ tVcl 
in U-nnlli, I'liun Imlli Ni<k> nl llir > Ikiih rl. \\ hic h is .1 pi. iil.ihrilKHi. aw [\:\\\i f|ils lh;U 
cli'M'lii|i inlii cliaiurl aisk'.s. .mil .\w .Kl.iplrd In parlU ilusrd m ifciis lor a wslry rodiii 
on uiu' side and thr origan and i hnir on du- iiduT. I >inaliilil\ ol niaUTial, sulidily ot 
1 onslruc Miin. and juditidiis niani'i^cnu-nl in rxrinlKm mark c\i.T\ slaj^i' in [hi.- crcition 
111 diis licanlirul i linnh. lis i usl iiini]ik'k'. r\cliisi\f nC llu- (H'^an, u as ,')i40,96(;.OiS. 
\\ nliin this (liinili is ilu' iK-anliful oiiian. wlmli was avvardnl llu' lirsl iircniiuni fur 
r\( ilkiu r 111 loiK' al llic ( 'cnknnial i'Ajiiisiliiin in iSyd, I'lu' i hnia h « as ( nnscrraU'd 
li\ ihr l!isho|i n( die Mi.u cs,- on ilu- isi da\ ..I" Dr. (.■nilnT. iSSi ; llir l'.ishii|i n\ Alabama 
prtMi hini; llu- ( <insc( laluMi srinum. Il is cnliroU Ircr licini dolit. ow ini; nulliiiii; I'illHT 
upon iho luiikliiiL;. llu- ui;;aii. nr upon c unrnl rxptaiscs. 

IVinilN I'ansli. lor wliuli die aluixr cundilion of alTairs speaks so well, is one of die 
oldesl in the Slate, it heiiiL; oi'nani/ed with a lew meniliers in i S ^ i iir iS^2. Services 
were held oci asionally li\ Re\ . Norman Nash, and arierwards \>\ Re\ . Ceorge R. 
i;ildin,t;s, of llopkinsv ille, K\. ( )ii Seplemlier iilli, i S,',.^ die \'eslr\ ( .illed the first 
reetor of the I'arisli, Rev. Allien A. Miiller. and on the lodi of Septemlier of die fol 
kiwiiii; \ear, iN,^;. die foundation o\ the lirsl c luin li Imiklini; was laid. As this luiild- 
int; .ipproaihed < onipletioii. il w, is found tli it die walls were unsafe, and dial die whole 
would ha\e to he taken do\\ n ,iiid re erec te(k Mr. I'liomas \\ . I'ra/U'r. .1 /e.ikuis 
parishioiu'i . had this work done etilireK ,it his own expense. lie also linilt the par 
sonaiie, wliieli now slaiids in llu- \ard of the < liiirch, and when he died some \'ears 
.liter, left .i lei^aiN Hi the ehureli which xiekk'd an income for .1 kin;4 time of more than 
a ihoiisand dollars per annum. Che first i linrcli luiildiiii; was (dnsecraled June 2^^i.\. 
iS,vS. Ii\ liishop Otey. of the l>iocese. Re\ . l.eonidas I'olk. of ( 'olumliia. I'emi.. 
assisliiiL; in the ( onsecration services. Mr. I'olk al'lerward liecame Hisliop of llu 
niocese of Louisiana, ,ind iheii I .ieiiteiianlC.eiieral in the ( 'onfeder.ite arm\ . He was 
killed in lialde. 

Dr. Miiller resigned .August jotli. i,S4i. and on die i4lh of Decemlier. following. 
Re\ I'Mward (."vessy was calleil in his stead. Mr. Cressy resigned .\pril isl, 1S45, anil 
the Rex. William t". I'r.ine succeeded in the rectorship, arriving in the Parish .\pril 
_'odi. 1,^45. I'or li\e \ears this laithful ,ind beloved pastor remained with liis llock. 
bill lin.illv ,u cepled a cill 10 Jackson. Miss., and resigned on l'".asler Suiid.iv. 1850. 
k'rom November. 1^50. to J.inuarv, i.'^s.v Rev. \\illiaiii I'ise. a learned anil ilevout 
man. w as rector of the I'.irish. Rev. Joseph J.imes Ridley was elei led reclor on the 
first Suiulav in November, i.'^s.^ and resigned June .\slli. i.Sdo. Ii.iv ing been elected 
President o\ the I'.ast rennessee Iniversity .it Knowille. .\fter manv efforts to fill 
the vacaiuv. die \estry llnallv called, in I'ebruary. i-Sdi. Rev, Mr. Cannon, who. 
however, remained but a brief while. The Parish remained without a rector during 
nearly the whole of the civil war. Rev. Samuel Ringgold, of Howling Creen. Kv. . 
orticiated as often as he could, and in Oitober. i.S(i4, he was chosen by the N'estry. and 
entered upon his duties as rector November _;d. 18(14. lie remained nearlv (en vears. 
and was ,1 /eaknis rec(or. Mr. Ringgold resigned Julv _;ist. i.'s74. and on Noveni- 



Ijlt LSI. 1X75. Kl\. I'hili)) A. Kitt.s, then of liirininghain, Alaliaiiia, a< < epted a (all to 
the Parish, and was its earnest and efficient rector until. Oct., 1886. A few months 
liefore his arrival the old rhuri:h, so dear to many of the parishioners, had been taken 
liown. and on June 30th. 1875, the corner-stone of the present building laid. Under 
his supervision the work went on to completion, and the Parish arrived at its present 
satisfactory condition. 

.Mr. Fitts was an alilc and conscientious man, unswerving always in his devotion 
to |>rin< iple. an earnest student, forcible and logical in the pulpit and singularly pure 
and temperate in his private life. No minister of the gospel of any denomination has 
ever wielded a wider influence in this community than he. In (Jctober, 1886, he ac- 
( epted a <all to the growing and flourishing jjarish at .Anniston, Alabama, and much to 
the regret of his people here severed his connection with Trinity Parish. Rev. J. T. 
Hargrave, of Holly Springs, Mississippi, was called by the vestry to succeed him, and 
began his ministry in March, 1887. .Mr. Hargrave is a Northern man, a native of the 
State of .\ew V'ork. He comes highly recommended, was very pojjular at Holly 
S|)rings, and will no doulit prove a worthy successor to .VIr. Fitts. 



HK TEXNESSKK C'OXFKI )KR All', ORl'HAX AS\ MM. 



After the close of the war, in 1865, the ladies, of C'larksville and vicinity, deter- 
mined to provide an Asyhun for the orphan children of poor Confederate soldiers, who 
had fallen in the great struggle, and they organized for that purpose and bought a trari 
of land, with good improvements on it, near C'larksville, for the sum of $25,000, and 
established an Asylum for that pur]iose, at which many of those poor chililren were 
cared for in comfort, and educated. By the growth of the children, the object for 
which the institution was established being accomplished, the Asylum was discontinued 
and the property was sold by the State. The funds to purchase and run the institution 
were raised by voluntary contributions from people of all sections of the countr\-. Con- 
spicuous among those who assisted in raising means for this noble and benevolent ob- 
ject, was Mrs. K. M. Xorris, who now sleeps in tireenwood Cemetery, near C'larksville. 
'I'enn., withoiu a stone to mark the spot. The labors of Mrs. Xorris in this behalf 
were great and successful. .She traveled extensively for this ])urpose, going to C'ali- 
t'ornia, Xew York, and other distant points in the prosecution of the noble work. It 
is no injustice to others who labored to the same end, to say that to the labors of Mrs. 
Xorris more than to any other one individual the enterprise owed whatever of success 
it achieved. Her grave ought to be marked and her noble deeds perpetuated. 

The ladies were well organized, with an Advisory Board of distinguished men. The 
iiffucrs were: Mrs. G. A. Henry, President; Mrs. Dr. A. D. Sears, Mrs. Dr. \V. M. 
h'inley, Mrs. J. G. Hornberger — now Mrs. Dr. Klinn, Vice-Presidents; Mrs. A. S. 
Munford, Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. Galbreaith, Recording Secretary : Mrs. Dr. 
Iv 1>. Haskins, Treasurer; Re\ . Mr. Brvson, General Traveling .Soliciting .\gent ; 
Mrs. R. M. Norris, Matron. 

After organizing some twenty .\uxiliary Societies in the start. Rc\ . .Mr. Bryson 
gave up the work, and Mrs. E. M. Xorris assumed this hardshiji, and Mrs. McKenzie 
took her place as matron ; but the management, success and wonderful work accom- 
|)lishcd bv this movement; the untiring, ceaseless energy, the great ann)unt of both 
physical and mental labor expended bv each of these lady managers, especially b\' the 



Presitlunt and Mrs. Miinford, ilic ('ori-i.-sixinding Secretary, whose pen was scarcely 
ever dry: also the spirit that moved them, and the general condition and desolation of 
the (ountrv. the self-sacrifice, tender sympathy, general sentiment and feelings that 
moved the people, etc., are all belter told in the following interesting rejjort by Mrs. 
President Henry, and the elofpient touching address of Hon. John F. House, to the 
third annual meeting in 1868: 



'{'he President and Managers are thankful to .Mmighty f'Od for the multiplied 
blessings He has bestowed on this institution intrusted to their care, the Tennessee 
Ori)han Asylum. -Since its organization to the present time we have received into the 
asylum seventy children, in a state of great destitution and jjoverty. Of this number 
thirty-seven have been returned to their parents, greatly improved in their health and 
condition, and all in comfortable clothing. In every case they were returned home at 
the request of their parents, who felt they were in a condition to support them, who 
wanted the consolation of their society, or their assistance in their domestic affairs. 
There are now in the asylum thirty-three children, who, as a general thing, are as 
healthy and as w.ell cared for as any family of children in the i:ountry. The matron, Mrs. 
McKenzie, who has at this time charge of the in.stitution, superintends their education, 
and bestows u]jon them her matronly care and protection. The whole house is in nice 
order: the fare, the bedding, and the clothing of the children are carefully attended to; 
•and, we are gratified to add, their moral and religious training is not neglected. The 
institution presents throughout the appearance of a happy and contented family. All 
of the children are learning very well, and several are remarkable for the progress they 
have made, and give encouraging promise of future usefulness. The matron is giving 
entire satisfaction in the discharge of her responsible duties. We should not omit to 
return our thanks to the clergy of Clarksville, who have repeatedly held divine service 
in the .Asylum, in which all the children have particijjated, and at which they anfl every 
employe have invariably attended. 

The health of the children has been good, and not one has died at the Asylum. In 
this ( onnection, it is but just and due to Dr. D. F. Wright to .say he has gratuitously 
bestowed his professional skill and attention ujjon the inmates of the .Asylum whenever 
he has been called upon. 

\Ve take great pleasure in announcing that the institution is in a more jirosperous con- 
'dition than at any time since its organization. When we purchased the Asylum property 
at $25,000, relying alone on the voluntary contributions of our friends to raise a sum, 
many thought it a hopeless undertaking, and we acknowledge we had doubts of our 
ability to meet our engagements and comply with our promises, although we had a 
credit of five years in which to make final payment. We, however, gathered encour- 
agement from a conviction that the cause was a just one, and that (iod would prosjjer 
it. We now have the pleasure of announcing that we have anticipated the payment of 
our notes, and the property is fully paid for. A fertile tract of land, consisting of 



aliout one li\nuired and I'lt'ly ai rus, uitliiii luo mik-s of C'larksville, beautifully situates i 
on the east tiank of Red River. \\ ith substantial and convenient improveinents, and .ill 
the appurtenance.s thereto atta( bed. now belongs to the Tennessee Or|)han .\sybuii, fri r 
t'roni an\ inrumbran( e. When uc remember that three \ ears ago we had not one ( rni 
to begin with, this suiiess looks more like the creations of faniy than reality. .And 
yet it is reality. He must be an inlidel who does not believe the face of (iod was 
turned toward us in this work, and we are gratef"id to Him that He has ins|)ire<l om- 
tViends everywhere with the generous liberality which has enabled us to achieve this 
success. In tles|)ite of the ( roaking of the lukewarm, and the prophecy of our enemies 
that the effort to liuild up an asylmn here woidd pro\e in the end a miserable failure, 
we struggled on, though shadows, clouds, and darkness did rest on the enterprise. To 
those who had no faith in the patriotism of our people, the thing seemed to be impos- 
sible. The prospeit, it must be confessed, was gloomy enough; but a bright day has 
dawned u|)on us, and i heers us with its sunshine. Though our friends then were few, 
thank (iod we have many now. 

Our cause, when first to light it burst. 

Reared by a dauntless few, 
.\ppeared so small, its early fall 

Our foes jjrepared to view ; 
But gathering more, from shore to shore 

Its influence now e.xtends. 
Until at length we see our strength 

Enrolling myriad friends. 

The Treasurer's annual rejiort is laid before the Board, to be examined and re- 
corded. It will be seen, after paying all the e.xpenses of the place, the salaries of the 
agents and employes, etc., and $10,062.^5, the balance on cost of real estate, there 
was in the treasury, on May i, 1868, the sum of $3,132.25. The whole expenses of 
the house and farm, and the salaries of matron, teachers, and employes, amounted to 
$2,444.35, which was surely an economical ex|)enditure, when all things connected 
with the institution are considered. 

The Rev. Mr. Bryson was paid $1,000 for his valuable and laborious services in 
organizing twenty auxiliary societies in Middle and West Tennessee. The prevalence 
of cholera, and other causes not now necessary to repeat, prevented him from organiz- 
ing mau\ more. From those he did organize the handsome sum of about $6,000 was 
received; and after paying all expenses of the agent, his salary, cost of printing, etc., 
there pas.sed into the treasury from these au.xiliary societies, to the date of the Treas- 
urer's report, $4,486.40. We ha\e also received cash contributions to the same date 
to the amount of $3,001.80; and from the successful and arduous labors of our inde- 
fatigable tra\eling agent in California. .Mrs. K. M. Norris. the large sum of $6,433.61. 
Nor is this all. Her labors have not ceased. We are in possession of the gratifying 
intelligen< e that she has since deposited with her banker in San Francisco five or six 
lunulred dollars more, which, as it has not been received here, does not enter into the 
Treasurer's report. We can not be too grateful to these self-satrfic ing agents. The 



79 
Rf\. Mr. I'lrv^fin. after having, at great |]L-rsonal sacrifue. cirgani/,fil t\vcnt\ au\iliar\ 
societies, whose cdntrihutions ha\e rea( hed the large sum above stated, and \vhi( h we 
hojie and lielieve will constitute a continuing ftnid. without abatement, from year to 
year, retired from this lal)or to engage actively in those belonging ]jeciiliarly to a min- 
ister in the servi( e of our I,or<l and Master; while Mrs. Norris has traveled by land 
and water, and over moimtains and jilains, foot-sore and weary, manv a mile, soliciting 
from far-off strangers in California their c ontributions in gold. It can not be inappro- 
priate here to e\|jress to them our grateful thanks and jirofoiind ai knowledgments. witli 
the hope and the prayer that the blessings of (iod may rest upon them always. It is 
due to them that the society should recognize, by formal resolutions, our ap]jreciation 
of their valuable labors. Nor ought we to be unmindful of those who have given l)y 
cash contributions $3,001. <So. during the past \ear. ( )ne large contribution of $500. 
which does not appear in the Treasurer's report, because it never reached the treasury, 
made by our friend an<l neighbor. Mr. (leorge W. Hillman, in the shape of an order 
for store goods, deserves to be specially mentioned and gratefully remembered. Mrs. 
.Ndrris writes she was greatly assisted in raising the large sum reported by the Hon. 
Jos. P). Crockett, of San Francisco, to Mrs. Newhall. and many other ladies of that 
<it\. and tf) (Jov. Hlodel. of Nevada, and to the ladies of Virginia City, who es])oused 
our ( Muse « ith great zeal and earnestness. The .Asyliun is only tolerably supplied with 
pro\isions at ]iresent: nor is the farm nearly as well stocked with milch cows, cattle, 
hogs, sheep, and fowls as its necessities demand. The farm and garden are under very 
good cultixation. and we look forward to the time when it can be made self-sustaining. 
It is. however, far from being so at present, and we must still rel\- upon the charitable 
contributions of our friends. Having no endowment whatever, we earnestly call ujjon 
the benevolence of our friends to sustain us in our arduous undertaking, to feed and 
clothe and educate the orphan children of our Confederate dead. Is it not as little as 
we ought to do to feed, clothe, and educate the soldier's child, and supply, as nearly 
as we can, the place of him who died in battle in the service of his country, and was 
borne from the field of his fame fresh and gory to his humltle but not forgotten grave; 
for. however remote it inay l)e. or secluded on the hill-side or in the deep valley, it is 
a sacred spot, embalmed in the memory of the living and kept green by the tears of 
affei tion. 

How sleep the brave, who sink to rest 
By all their country's wishes blest? 
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold. 
Returns to deck their hallovyed mould. 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
Than fancy's feet have ever trod. 
Hy fairy hands their knell is rung; 
By forms unseen their dirge is sung; 
'I'here honor comes, a pilgrim gray. 
To bless the turf that \vra]js their clay; 
.\nd freedom shall a w-hile repair 
To dwell a weeping hermit there. 



8o 

W 1' .lui' It 111 tin' hiilios of o.uh ami .ill ol' mir aiuiliaiv sii<i(.'tii.'>. lo maUi' lliis 
lniMii a> Unnu K'cl^nu'iil of our i;raliliul(.' lo thi'in, for tin- hciktous ( onlriluilions inadc 
lo ii-N li\ ihoM' SOI i(.-lit'>. .iinounliMi; lo aluml $().ooo, sim o liu' last annual nu'i-lini; of 
this lioaiil. In'siilcs large su|i|ilios in c loiliin^. shoes, ctr. It is froni this some x', which 
has now assuiuod tlu' sha|K' ol'.m oiL;.ini/cil ihaiity. thai wc arc to r\|n.'i 1 in lIu' future 
niui h ol' llu' nu'.ins to c.iirN on iho institution, aiul make it ri|ii.il lo iho c\|n.'ita lions 
of the < iuinlr\ . 

Iho I'ri'siik'iit .iml M.m.igi'i'.s take great pleasure in slating ihat the eoniniittei' .\]i- 
|iointeil to ex.miine into the moral and eduealioiial • oiidilion of the t hildren in the 
.\s\lum re|Hirt most la\or.dil\ on their mor.d .iiul religions training, .ind their aiiiuisition 
of us.'l'ul knowle.lge, rhe\ sl.ite the\ ha\e ne\er ohserved .1 more ste.uh and rapid 
impro\ enient in .my set of i hildren .in\ where. In re.idiiig and writing their iniiirove- 
meni has lieen derided and gr.iti lying. .\nd ol' Mrs. MeRen/ie. the\ sa\- she deserves . 
\our eoiifidenee in e\ er\ respect. 

riie I'resident e.m not i.ike le.i\e ^'( the sulijec t without expressing her manv 
olilig.uions to the l.uh m.m.igers o\ the institution, .md especi.illy to the oftic ers. Mrs. 
I'".. H. liaskins. the rreasurer : Mrs. .\. (i. Munforil, (.'orrcsponding Seirel.iry ; Mrs. 
("■alhraith. Recording Secretary: and the \'ic e-rresidents. \[rs. Finley. Mrs. llorn- 
lierger and Mrs. Sears, l"or (heir jiriMiipi and invaluable assistance in all things 
pertaining to the duties of their rcspcc tne olVues, and other services connec ted with 
the management of the .\sylum, which ha\ e been generously and manfulh alleviated b\ 
the gentlemen of ihe .\d\isor\ Hoard, who have always been ready to aid us, under all 
circumstances and in every emergency. 

.\ melancholy duty remains to be tlischarged. The |>en hesitates to record and the 
tongue falters to announce the death of l>r. Kdward H, Haskins, a leading member of 
the Advisory Hoard. No one had the cause of the .\sylum for the orphan child of the 
soldier who died for his country more at heart than he. From its infancy he was its 
steadfast friend, and through every i)efiod of its gloomy struggle he unwaveringly- 
stood by it. To no one more than to him is the Asylum indebted for its jiresent pros- 
peritv ; and while we bow in silence to the decree of Providence which removed him 
from the embrace of his friends and this scene of his earthly labors, we will be pardoned 
for paying this brief but s;id tribute to his niemory. 

HON. lOHN V. MOISKS \I)1>KKS>. 

The kulies of (."larksville may well h.iil (his as an auspicious day. Many of the 
me;i wlio perished in the cause that is lost left penniless orphans behind them, to the 
charity of tho.se in whose behalf they offered up their lives. It was nobly resolved to 
provide an asylum where the helpless children of those gallant men might Irnd a refuge 
and a home. .\niid the surrounding gloom, the utter prostration of all the industrial 
interests of the country, it was j;enerally feared that no such effort could be made with 
a;n reasonable hope of success. Hut. animated by a commendable and characteristic 



8i 
(If'.crmination. yon rcsoK fd to make the attempt, although timidity |)ronoiin(cd the 
enterprise impra< ticahle, and even pruden<.e suggested that it was a hazardous ad- 
venture. 

It aflords me more |)leasure than I ran fully express to he able to congratulate you 
to-day, both upon the su(:< ess which has crowned your noble efforts and the lofty spirit 
by which it has been achieved. I congratulate the county of Montgomery, that she 
may justly claim the honor of being the pioneer in this sacred cause, which appeals 
with heavenly eloijuence to the holiest feelings of our nature. To-day she sends greet- 
ing to her sister coimties of the .State, with the soul-ins|)iring salutation, "There is life 
in the old land yet. " 

Two years ago a jjermanent organization was effected. U'ithin that time a fine 
building, with one hundred and fifty acres of land attached, in the immediate neigh- 
borhood of the town, has been jnirchased, at the price of twenty-five thousand dollars : 
and although it was bought on a credit of one, two, three and four years, the last dollar 
of the |)urchase money has been paid, and the association has a clear and unencum- 
bered title to the entire j^roperty. In addition to this, the building has been thoroughly 
and comfortably furnished. Twenty auxiliary societies have been established in differ- 
ent portions of the State through the instrumentality of Rev. Hry.son, the able and 

energetic agent selected for this purpose. These societies raise means in their respective 
localities and send them forward to the parent board. The noble women of our State 
are lending their aid to this work with an un.selfish and ceaseless devotion. The farm 
is in a good state of cultivation, and it is hoped that it will yield enough this year to 
furnish all necessary supplies. There is, also, an excellent school, where the children 
are being educated, and it is intended to make this a prominent feature in the future 
management of the institution. Those who have homes, it is propo.sed, may spend 
their vacations there, while those who have none will, of course, remain in the 
institution. 

A few evenings since I visited the .\sylum, and was forcibly impressed with the 
neatness, order and regularity which pervade all its departments. I frankly acknowl- 
edge that I was astonished at what had been accomplished. After paying for the 
property, furnishing the large building from cellar to garret, stocking the farm, and 
meeting all incidental ex|>enses, there is now in the treasury the handsome sum of three 
thousand dollars or more. 

Where so many have labored faithfully, it might be considered invidious to sig- 
nalize the efforts of any individual by special mention. But I can not refrain upon 
this occasion from making a public acknowledgment of the weighty obligations which 
the society is under to Mrs. Norris for her self-.sacrificing and extraordinary efforts in 
behalf of this cai/se. She has traveled far and near, and in person presented its claims 
to friend and foe, and by her individual efforts contributed in a large degree to the suc- 
cess of the enterprise. Even now, upon the far-off shores of the Pacific, she pleads the 
cause of our orphans, and sends back substantial evidence of the gratifying success 
which is attending her labor of love. 



The siucess of this institution, under all the circumstances, has been very remark- 
able ; m tact, tar beyond reasonable calculation. No government extended its munifi- 
cent hand to aid it — for the government which would have cared for these orphan 
children, had it succeeded, is reposing in the same grave where their fathers sleep — no 
Congress, no State Legislature to bestow those magnificent endowments which of them- 
selves place success beyond jjcradventure. None of these sources could be looked to 
at all. 

Relying upon their own individual eftorts. the friends of this cause resolved '.o 
make the broad appeal to an impoverished land in behalf of the children of our gallant 
dead. It was not so difficult to resolve to make the appeal, but how would it be 
responded to? In answering this (piestion well might the sanguine doubt, the doubting 
despond, the jjrudent hesitate, and the timid despair. For the dead are generalh 
soon forgotten. The charities of this world are verv cold. Its Sa\ ior was cradled in 
a manger, spent his life as a wanderer, and died upon the cross, there being only enough 
charity left among men to give him a jilai c in which to be buried. The mountains of 
selfishness rise on e\ery hand, covered with eternal snow. Hut none of these con- 
siderations, nor all combined, were permitted to deter you from making a bold and 
persistent effort to prov-ide a refuge for the orphans of the unforgotten dead. \oii 
utterly reftised, in the face of the most formidable discouragements, to recognize the 
possibility of failure. You were "troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; perplexed, 
but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." O, 
there is a faith in woman's heart that travels beyond the narrow boundaries of human 
wisdom, and glows with celestial fire in regions where "reason's glimmering ray" goes 
out in darkness — a faith that shines out in the hour of misfortune as resplendant as a 
burst of sunlight from the bosom of a cloud, and as beautiful as the resurrection of the 
flowers in Spring — a faith that clung with undying fondne.ss to the cro.ss, and refused 
to part company with the Divine Sufferer amid the very gloom of the grave. How 
much the world owes to this faith, how many tears it has dried, how many wounded 
hearts bound up, how many homes made happy, how many rough places in life's jour- 
ne\- made smooth for weary feet, can never be known until the Recording Angel opens 
the books. 

The reflection that the cause is worthy of every sacrifice that can be made to ])ro- 
mote it, should serve as ample compensation for the labor already expended, as well 
as an incentive to future exertion. The cause of the wddow and the orphan has the 
stamp of Heaven's own approval upon it. To visit the fatherless and the widows in 
their affliction, is placed by inspiration itself among the shining evidences of pure and 
undefiled religion. The orphan is the ward of Heaven. The weak, the lowly, the 
unfriended and oppressed seemed the peculiar objects of the Saviors search while He 
sojourned upon earth, and they were almost exclusively the grateful recipients of His 
unobtrusive benefactions. It is not so difficult to bestow alms when popularity will be 
lost by a refusal to perform benevolent deeds, or policy suggests that our interests will 
be promoted by making the investment. "To do good by stealth and blush to find it 



f.inie. '' springs from the S])irit whicli Heaven a|)pr(nes, Iiowe\'er rareh' we may see it 
illustrated in the daily walks nf life. 

There is too mnch siilTering in the world for the wealth that is in it — too much 
luxury and self-indulgence — too great a love of mone\', and too little interest felt in 
relieving the wants of the destitute and suffering. Men give to this duty a jilace en- 
tirely too unimportant and insignificant in their religion. In fact, many do not seem 
to regard it as any part of their religion at all. Where they find a religion without this 
duty occupying a ])rominent position in it, I am at a loss to know. They do not find 
it in the P.ihle. for its sacred pages are as (ragrant with the odor of this heavenly plant 
as a bed of violets that throws its perfume upon the evening breeze; they do not find 
it illustrated in the life of Jesus Christ, for He went about doing good ; and those who 
would follow in His footsteps, or imitate His e.xample, must do likewise. By what 
authority does the servant make that an unimportant incident which constituted the 
I hief work of his Master? So important did the Great Teacher regard this duty that 
He declared that not even a cup of cold water given in a disciple's name should lose its 
reward. If the poor and neglected ever applied to Him for aid without receiving it, 
if the wail of the sufferer ever fell unheeded upon His listening ear, the sacred historians 
have failed to record it. Wherever the weak staggered under a Inirden they were 
unable to bear, wherever the feeble and the friendless raised their plaintive cry for 
relief, ■■ the Healer was there pouring balm on the heart. " 

It has sometimes seemed to me that the ]nilpit, in its ministrations, has failed to 
give to this subject the prominence it occupies u]ion the ]jages of inspiration. When 
the young man, mentioned in the Bible, came to Christ, he asked the Savior the (pies- 
tion : " What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" He was told to 
kee|j the commandments. He wished to know which. The commandments were 
mentioned over to him, one by one, and he replied . " All these have I kept from my 
\i)uth up; this is the religion in which I was raised ; it has come to me by inheritance, 
and has formed a i)art of my education. Do 1 lack any thing further ? Have you any 
thing to add to the venerable creed which I received from my fathers, and in which I 
have walked all my life? If not, you can teach me nothing. The system of religion 
which you [iropose to establish has been familiar to me from my childhood. " The 
\oung man .seemed to have a very good record, if he re])orted himself correctly; but 
he was told to sell what he had and feed the poor. This was a startling announcement 
— a new idea to him. He dropped the subject and went away very sorrowful, for he 
was very rich. There may be those living in this day and generation who would be 
e(|ually startled and eipially sorrowful if they were told that it was their Christian dut\- 
to sell even one acre of land frcjm their large possessions to feed the poor rather than 
see them suffer. 

There is a ])icture drawn in the New 'I'estament, and it is by the hand of the Great 
.'\rtist himself, re[)resenting a very solemn and impressive scene at the last day. A 
certain character comes up for examination, and the following questions, substantially, 
are propounded : ' ■ What have you been doing in the world from which you came ? 



§4 
How many hungry have you fed ? How many naked have you clotlied ? \Vere there 
any widows and orphans where you lived?" He is compelled to answer: •• I had :i 
large estate. I left my family very rich when I died. Objects of charity were abun- 
dant around me. but I never paid any particular attention to them. I had mv own 
family to take care of. and occasionally, when it was convenient, when I could spare 
any means from my business. I gave to the needy." The books are ojjened and his 
account examined, and he is told: ■'There are some things to your credit here that 
are well enough in their place ; hut the list of your charitable deeds is very short. 
The number that you have fed and clothed is very small. Vou are credited with 
going to church frequently, singing a good many songs, shedding a good many tears, 
and praying a good many prayers. These are all well enough ; but where are your 
i^ooJ iwrks that have followed you here to plead for your admission? Depart ! For. 
inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these. \e did it not to me." 

It is perfectly idle to sup])ose that men can neglect those objects of want and 
suffering that sigh along the highways and byways of life and escape condemnation. 
If the Bible teaches anything, it teaches our duty in this respect unmistakably and 
irresistibly. If the life of Christ teaches anything, it holds this duty up to His followers 
so plainly that he who runs may read it. His career upon earth was one long pilgrim- 
age of mercy ; and His life is studded as thickly and as brightly with good deeds as the 
blue fields above us with burning stars. 

The time will come in all our lives when every dream of ambition must lose its 
s]iell, when the fascinations of wealth will cease to charm us, and the applause of men 
to fill our hearts with pride. Then shall one desolate widow's blessing be sweeter to 
the soul than the plaudits of admiring multitudes, and the tear of gratitude that trem- 
bles in one lonely orphan's eye more prized than the richest diamond that blazes upon 
the brow of beauty, or the brightest star that shines upon the crest of heraldry. They 
shall constitute the jewelry of the immortal soul when it is adorned for its entrance into 
that land whose beauty eye hath never seen, whose music ear hath never heard, and 
whose unrevealed glories are beyond the conception of the human heart. •• For. ina.s- 
much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, mv brethren, ye ha\e done it 
unto me." 

" I hold that Christian grace abounds 
Where Charity is seen ; that when 
We climb to heaven, 'tis on the rounds 
Of love to men. 

" 'Tis not the wide phylactery. 

Nor stubborn fast, nor studied prayers 
That make us saints ; we judge the tree 
By what it bears. 

" And when a man can dwell apart 
From works, on theologic trust. 
I know the blood about his heart 
Is dry as dust." 



S3 

Religion and humanit\' both point to helpless orphanage, and admonish us that we 
ran not ignore its claims without un(pn'et relleetions here and disagreeable (.onseiiuences 
hereafter. 

Iiut there are additional reasons whii h address themselves with peculiar force to 
the Southern peo|)le in behalf of the orphans of the Confederate dead. They are the 
children of men who died in a cause that had our f\ill and hearty indorsement. They 
were miselhsh men. They left home, father, mother, wife, children, all that the heart 
jjrizes most highly and loves most fondh' ; not because those objects of affection were 
not as dear to them as to other men. but because they felt that the voice of their coun- 
try summoned them to the lield. The sacrifice was great, but they had the manhood 
to make it : the danger imminent, Init they had the courage to face it. How much 
they suffered, what they endured, before they offered up their lives, will never be 
known. How often, amid the fatigues of the long and weary march, the silence of the 
lonely bivouac, the monotony of the camp, the dangers of the battle-field, the gloom ot 
the hospital, the rigors of the prison, their aching hearts made pilgrimages back to 
homes they were destined never to see again — to wife and children, the sunlight of 
whose smile should ne\er more illuminate their pathway — are among the incidents of 
unwritten history. 

There is one scene that can never fade from my recollection. It was on Bragg's 
retreat from Shelliyville to Chattanooga. As the soldiers from Middle Tennessee 
ascended the Cumberland Mountains, they bore in their bosoms hearts as sad as Abra- 
ham's when he climbed the moimtains of Moriah to sacrifice his son. They stood upon 
the siunmit of the mountain and gazed back u])on the blue hills that bounded the 
homes they were leaving, and bade a long and, alas! too many, a final farewell to 
scenes that were as dear to them as the lives they went so bravely out to peril. Who 
can tell how much of sorrow was crowded into that one moment of farewell ! lUit they 
went forward with an unfaltering step, where they believed the path of honor led, and 
the hand of duty beckoned them — many of them even unto death. 

The graves where they sleep are very humble. No government pours out its 
wealth to gather their dust into magnificent cemeteries, adorned with all that taste and 
art can contribute to beautify those cities of the dead. In the deep bosom of the wild- 
wood, where human footsteps rarely tread, many of them sleep the last sleep, with only 
nature and solitude as companions of their dreamless rest. The birds of the forest sing 
their morning and evening hymn above their unrecorded graves. No ancestral oak 
shall e\er throw its welcome shadow above their heroic dust, and no monumental mar- 
ble sentinel the undiscovered spot where their ashes repose. Hut they ha\e monimients 
in hearts that are warmer than marble, and homes in memories that will never cast 
them out. Dearer to me their hallowed dust than the golden sands of all the Califor- 
nias. No amount of detraction can shake my faith in their integrity, and no tempta- 
tion of ])ower or position ever make me false to the traditions of their history. I know 
they are stigmatized as traitors, but this hand can never consent to write smh a word 
upon such a grave. My heart must be as cold as death can make it before it wi'l 



86 
cease to warm at the mention of their names or to cherish the memorials of their 
virtue. 

Thank God, this privilege is still left us. Even the ingenuity of hate has never yet 
invented a ].)rocess bv which the heart can be entered and robbed of its memories. No 
spv can bring reports from this enchanted land ; no detective exjilore this unknown 
region; no rude soldiery put the forms of beauty that people it in arrest; and no court- 
martial pronounce its bloody decrees against them. This is hallowed ground, where 
yet no tyrant's foot has ever trod. Cruehy and oppression, and all the dark cohorts 
that human passion rallies to carry out its orders, stand baffled and powerless outside 
its walls; for the angels of God stand guard ui)on its parapets, and their flaming swords 
turn every way to guard this citadel of the soul. 

\\'e may be poor in purse, but we are rich in the treasures of the heart. Let those 
who feared to face us in our hour of might indulge the instincts known only to savages 
and cowards, by insulting us in the day of our humiliation and sorrow. Many a jackal 
that has now ventured out to insult and prey upon the carcass of the dead lion, once 
trembled in his hiding jjlace when the roar of the living monarch reverberated amid the 
wilds of the forest. 

There was a time when men who now insult the South were hunting for safe re- 
treats beyond the reach of her advancing armies. There was a time when along her 
bristling ranks the flashes of victory ran like sheeted lightning along the broad horizon, 
and the shouts of triumph went up from her exultant hosts. There was a time when 
before her invincible armies even her powerful enemy fled in dismay ; when the world 
looked on in amazement at the mighty strength she put forth, and the skill of her 
leaders, and the prowess of her arms wrung encomiums even from unwilling lips. 

For four long and bloody years she fought Europe, Africa and America, and fell 
at last, crushed out by the sheer weight of overwhelming numbers. To characterize 
such a war as this as a mere riot or a moli, and assume that every man engaged in it 
was a conscious traitor, unworthy of trust and devoid of honor, is to trifle with truth 
and insult the common understanding of mankind. Reason rejects such a view of the 
subject as an absurdity, justice brands it as a falsehood, and the muse of history will 
scorn to transfer it to her immortal page. Questions that rallied millions of men as 
intelligent as the American masses to the battle-field for their solution, must have had, 
did have, two sides to them. Let us not be restive under the injustice which passion, 
])rejudice and falsehood are daily inflicting upon us. The civilized world witnessed the 
conflict in which we were engaged, and took cognizance of the events that marked the 
mighty struggle. 

The South has a history beyond the reach of mendacity, and imper\ious to the 
attacks of malice. Manassas, Fredericksburg, the Seven Pines, the seven days" fight 
around Richmond, Perryville, Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Franklin, and 
other battle-fields of the late revolution can not be ignored or forgotten. No amount 
of manufactured history or distorted facts can tear those memorable words from the 
Confederate flag or blot them from the "book of time." There are Lee and Jackson, 



and Johnston and Beauregard, and C'lehurn and Forrest, and Stuart and Morgan, and 
other ■•immortal names that were not horn to die;" anil in his heart of hearts the 
Southerner will cherish them, and his cheek glow with pride at their mention. Shall 
the Southern sohjier. or an\' of his descendants, ever hear the name of Robert K. Lee 
withiuit a thrill of delight and a feeling of veneration ? Whether in his own State or at 
the head of an invading army upon the soil of Pennsylvania, he never forgot his honor 
as a soldier or \ iolated the rules of civilized war. No smoking dwellings, no l)urning 
towns, no plundered cities, no ruined families, no female captives were seen on his 
line of march. No "wild mother screamed o'er her famishing brood" in the wake of 
his victorious army, although the plowshare of ruin had been ruthlessly driven into the 
sacred bosom of his own beloved Virginia, and the beautiful and romantic Shenandoah 
^'alley had been made a howling desert. With all these provocations to retaliation, he 
ordered his soldiers to res|iect the |)rivate projicrty of the people of Pennsylvania, and 
to make no war u]ion women and children — and they obeyed him. Noble old warrior, 
patriot, and Christian '. Whatever the future may have in store tor thee, thy virtues 
are embalmed in the memories of thy countrymen forever. State legislatures may pass 
acts forbidding the sale of his i)ortrait. but there is a [jhotograph upon every Southern 
heart which no legislative enactment can reach, and no slieriff with his /'i>ssi- iOiiiitatKS 
obliterate. 

I know there are those who would seal the lips of every man in the South unless 
those lips are opened to confess our sins and curse the cause in which they were com- 
mitted. I know the land swarms with political pharisees who are continually thanking 
God that they are not as other men are, or even as these poor rebels. I know there 
are men born in the South vv'ho '^■aye. purchased position by their industry in the " loyal " 
work of heaping what they esteem humiliating disabilities upon men, one drop of whose 
blood would enrich the veins of a thousand such caricatures of manhood. But who 
cares for their censure or courts their applause, or values the opinions ofisuch creatures 
u|)on any subject? They belong to a race whose instincts lead them to wag the tail 
and bark, whether the bone that wins their hearts is thrown from a Northern or 
Southern hand. It is not to such slaves of party and pimps of |)0\ver that honorable 
men yield the custody of their consciences, or submit the censorship of their actions. 

In purity of motive, in stainless honor, in dauntless courage and lofty devotion to 
principle, the men who bore arms in the lost cause are the peers of the proudest that 
ever marched under any banner, or illustrated the annals of any land. Upon the floor 
of the United States Senate (where no son of the South is permitted to raise his voice 
in her defense), in a recent debate, an honorable member, who had the manhood to 
speak a word for this much slandered people, challenged our maligners to point to a 
single Confederate soldier who had violated his parole since the surrender. The chal- 
lenge was not accepted and will not be. The Jiistory of the world might be safely 
challenged to produce from among its mouldering records an instance parallel to the 
high-souled and chivalrous manner in which the Confederate soldiers, in the midst of 
the most irritating provocations, have kept their plighted honor inviolate. 



ss 

Hut still the lash o\ persecutinii is lifted u|>. and the thuinlisc rews of opiiression 
apiilied. The h'lstings. the halls of t'l ingress, the pulpit and the press seem to \ ie with 
each other in the manufacture of maledieiions and the invention of new modes of sup 
posed degradation tor our peo]ile. Such men may he oppressed, hut they can not l>e 
degraded. F.\er\- insult that is offered us in the hour of oiu' weakness. c\er\ h.irricr 
ot constitutional liberty that is torn down to reach us, will react upon the oppressor, 
and vindicate at the bar of posterity the i aiise they seek to make infamous by means so 
unworthy. 

.Vt'ter the bitterness of defeat and tin- humiliation of tailure. \\h\ shoidd oiu- o])- 
l)ressors wish to rob us of the poor privilege of believing that we are not disgraced? 
But let us suffer and be strong. This is a privilege which it is neither theirs to give 
nor take away, 'i'hev ( an not build a dungeon to imprison the soid, nor forge man- 
acles to confine the mind. I'hought. like the winged lightning and the wayward 
tempest, scorns all the puny efforts of man to fetter or subdue it. 

Shall the mother be forbid to mourn the loss of her gallant boy without first con- 
fessing that he fills a traitor's grave? No human law ( an ever ton e that mother's heart 
to associate with his memory a traitors shame. She knows he was noble, brave and 
true, and when the last trumpet sounds, she u ill rise from the grave with that opinion. 
.Shall the father be stigmatized as ••disloyal," and stripped of all the attributes of a 
freeman, because his heart beats with a ipiickened pulsation at the recital of the heroic 
|)art his manlv son bore in the bloody scenes of C'hickamauga ? If so, he will die a 
••disloyal" man. If it is neccssarv to tear from his heart all the feelings of [laternal 
jjride before he can becume •■loyal," he will never be able to reach that extraordinary 
state of political perfection. .Mi. no! 

•• They'll tell their names in storied song. 

Those men of Chickamauga fight, 

.\nd on the moss-grown cottage wall 

Will hang their pictures, brave and bright." 

Shall the maiden be retpiired to turn a deaf ear to the voice of her lover because 
that voice once shouted in the charge of Forrest's invincible battalions? If so, flu 
rose of "lovaltv" can never bloom upon her cheek. Shall our fair countrywomen 1 
denounced as rebellious becau.se they strew the earliest and sweetest flowers of Sprin. 
upon the graves of our dead? Was she untrue to the claims of patriotism who. when 
a fair young soldier bov died far away from his home, bent above his bier, and with 
angelic sweetness said, ■• Let me kiss him for his mother?" 

Shall we be told it is treason not to ciuse our cause, denounce our leaders, and 
hold in everlasting detestation the memor\- of our comrades who fell by our sides? 
We would be worse than brutes, certainly less than men, if we could thus act. Oiu' 
hearts must turn to stone and our blood to water before we can indulge such sentiments 
,uul feelings toward those who led us in battle or fell in the fight. 

It is //('/ treason — and he is a fool who thinks so — to indulge a natural jiride in the 
achievements of our arms, res|)ect for the men who led us, and veneration for the 



infiiior}- of tll()^^.■ who pen'slied. Hard, hard indeed, is the fate of those who died in a 
lost cause it their siirv iving i omrades are ilenied the niehinrholv |)leasure of dropping 
a tear upon their graves. 

W'iien reason shall remount her throne, when a prejudice that is both deal' and 
lilind, shall cease to rule the hour, justice will be done the motives of those men. 
\ppealing tVom the passions of the pre.sent evil hour to the more impartial judgment of 
posterity, let us sulmn't their deeds and the cause in whi( h the\- fell to the arbitrament 
of history. 

'■ Sleep sweetly in your humble graves, 
.Sleej). martyrs of a fallen cause; 
Though yet no marble column craves 

The ])ilgrim here to pause, 
In seeds of laurels in the earth 

The garlands of your fame are sown, 
-And somewhere, waiting for its birth, 
The shaft is in the stone." 

'fhese are the men whose or|)han c liildren \t)u have so nobly undertaken to rescue 
from the arms of want and the curse of ignorance. I feel that they are safe in your 
hands and in your hearts. In after years, when they have grown to the stature of 
men and wcjuien. made happ)- and useful members of society through vour instrument- 
alit) , although the\ ma\ have nn early recollections of a home of their cnvn to ( heer 
their hearts and refresh their spirits, \'et, when memory shall climb the green hillsides 
of ( hildhood. \i>ur names will be associated with their reminiscences, and the\ will 
teach their i hildren to bless \ou. 



(;RHF,X\V()()|) <KMErKR\', 



The inauguration of Creenwood Cemeter\' was an era in the historv of C"larks\ille 
enterprise whi( h enlisted the sympathy and ( ordial support of all citizens who cherish 
the memories of departed kindred and friends, '{'he old City Cemetery and I'rinity 
burying ground were limited in extent, and had become so occupied that there was ncjt 
a lot for sale in either. Besides this, they were organized upon a basis that provided 
no means to preserve them from neglect, as the weeds and briers and general air of 
desolation surrounding them at the time full\- attested. Hon. David X. Kennedy 
oliserved the situation and beciime li\-el_\ ( ons( ious to the fact that the day was near at 
hand when ( 'larks\ ille would have no place free-/rom desecration for a burying ground. 
He brought the fac t to the attention of Hon. James E. Bailey, who had also become 
keenly sensiti.\e to the great necessity, and they agreed between them to take the 
necessary action to jjrovide a beautiful < it)' for the dead. Consequently they ])ur- 



9° 

chased a lot of eight acres on the Charlotte road, with a view of adding other lots to it 
when the jiropertv should come in the market. They soon discovered that this lot 
was not suitable, when other gentlemen < onnected themselves with the move and the 
|)resent location of about forty acres was purchased, and on the 28th of January, i86g. 
a charter was obtained from the Legislature for Greenwood Cemetery, one and one- 
half miles out the Charlotte road, since called Greenwood Avenue. The charter 
members were James E. Bailey, IX N. Kennedy, B. W. Macrae, C. G. Smith, John 
F. House, B. O. Keesee and Polk G. Johnson. These gentlemen have since com- 
posed the Board of Directors, with B. W. Macrae President and D. N. Kennedy 
Secretary and Treasurer, except the changes made necessary by death. Ca])t. J. j. 
Crusman .succeeded B. O. Keesee and H. C. Merritt succeeded Col. Bailey. The 
first meeting of the incorporators was held Nov. 17th, 187 1, when the Board was 
organized as above stated. The books were opened for subscriptions of stock, shares 
being fixed at fifty dollars each, and the sum of eight thousand nine hundred dollars 
was subscribed in stock by forty-six shareholders. .\ call for twenty per cent, of the 
stock was made on the 20th of July, 1S72, and Benjamin Grove, Esq., of Louisville, 
an engineer of much reputation tor skill in artistic landscaping and ornamenting 
grounds, was employed to lay out this most beautiful city in homes for the dead, where 
the dust of loved ones may ever rest under the green .sod, free from the despoiler's 
hands and protected against all intrusions. A handsome residence for the Superin- 
tendent was at once built, the avenues macadamized and graveled and bordered with 
beds of flowers, evergreens and shrubbery planted, white stones fixed at the corner ot 
lots, etc. The improvements continued until over twenty thousand dollars was ex- 
pended in ornamentation, the company having now four thousand dollars left to the 
endowment fund, from sale of lots, etc., which is to be increased to ten thousand dol- 
lars from surplus and income over and above the expenses, to insure the perpetual care 
of the grounds. Rev. Samuel Scott, a practical man, served several years as Superin- 
tendent, and since Mr. Hatcher Neblett has been the efficient Superintendent. 

.\t a meeting of the Board of Directors, on the 26th of May, 1873, it was ordered 
that a public sale of lots be made on the grounds, on the 21st day of June, 1873, and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Masonic Fraternity were invited to dedi- 
cate the grounds on that day with their usual ceremonies, and the Hon. G. A. Henry. 
Rev. 1. B. West, D. D. , and Hon. J. F. House were invited to deliver addresses on 
the occasion. 

In accordance with the above proceedings on the day appointed, the Odd Fellows 
and Masons and a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen from the city and county 
assembled on the grounds, when the dedication services were solemnly and impress- 
ively performed, and the addresses were delivered, after which there were seventy-three 
lots sold at prices considerably above the minimum fixed by the Board. 

After the appropriate and impressive dedication ceremonies by the Odd Fellows, a 
pleasing event was the assemblage of the Masonic fraternity. The Knights Templar, 
in their beautiful knightlv uniforms, mounted on fine horses, formed a circle on the 



91 
uroiinds allotted to the liurial of the (\)nt'cderate dead, when Re\ . Dr. A. I). Sears, 
Right Kminent Past (hand Coniniander of Knights 'I'emplar of IV-nnessee, in the Kast, 
assisted by Commander (Jeneral J. J. C'rusman in the West, by authority from the 
(Irand Master of Tennessee, solemnly dedicated Greenwood Cemetery, in accordance 
u ith the iieautiful and impressive ceremonies of the Order, to the repose of the dead 
i\ni\ the < are of the living, pouring upon the ground a libation of pure wine after the 
|ironoun( ement of each invocation. 

The addresses which followed these grand ceremonies were the finest specimens 
from the eagle orator. Hon. (1. A. Henry, the .silvery-tongued House, atid that distin- 
L;uisheil divine, Rew Dr. J. H. West. Dr. West's address on this occa.sion was so 
I hannnig in [lathos, pure in sentiment, graceful in construction, eloquent in cleliver\- 
,111(1 powerful in its appeal to the finer sensibilities of human nature, that it is thought 
uorlhy of preser\ation by publication in this book, and it is herewith printed. 

AllDKKSS OF RK\'. .1. II. WKSt. I). I). 

l.dJiis iiiii/ Gciitlciihii — \\'c are here in the performance of a ]jainfull\- pleasing 
iliit\ — painful, as it brings sharph to our renieuihrance the loved and the lost — pleas 
ant, as we are here to consecrate these Ijeautiful grounds to our beloved dead. 

ihe oc( asion is one of thrilling interest. In such an hour as this, all the former 
sensibilities of our nature, the very tenderest emotions of the heart, rise to the surfac e 
and bei onie intensely active. Thought and feeling are busw The ( hambers of mcni 
ory. on whose silent walls hang the unfading pictures of the loved, are opened, and 
affec tion fondly but tearfully traces the luiforgotten features of innocence and beautv. 
Life and death, dut\ and destiny, engage mu- attention, and swee]) the soul with swell 
ing tides of emotion. And all nature is in harmony with the hour. A solemn sileni e 
rests upon the earth, and a mellovv light pervades the whole atmosjjhere, through whi( h 
sot'tly echo the gentle voices of the departed. 

Lite itself IS a ,'reat mystery. \\hence it is, and whither it goeth, of their ou n 
knowledge none can tell. We see its ri( h manifestations everywhere, and with these 
we are somewhat familiar, but of the \ital |irinciple itself that puts forth these bright 
a|)pearances. we know nothing. .Science, in its most achanced state, stops short of its 
disco\ery. It is a secret something, we know not what; hidden, we know not where; 
but in ail things lull of out-bursting strength and excellence. 

Bui life, in all its forms of existence, is \ery beautitul. Wherever seen, and 
muler all possible conditions, 

•• It is a tiling cjf beaut\ , and a jov forever." 

.\nd lliroughout nature, and iVoni the lowest to the highest forms of existence, 
there is .in endless variety of delicate organisms, .that charm the i ulti\ated mind and 
delight the refined sense of man. 

\egetable- life develops itself into forms of grace and elegance, and is crowned 
with a |)leasing jjerfection. The flowers, that the soft south wind warms into life, and 



92 

that the bright sunshine jjaints in the colors of the skv. are of infinite \ariet\". I'he 
giant trees, left to mature, mature with ])erfect grace, with strength of arm to wrestle 
with the storm, and yet with leaves of the most delicate texture and of every shai)e and 
shade of color. From the tender spires of grass, sparkling with dewy drojjs, up 
through all ascending series of vegetation to the great forests that wave their leafy 
branches in summer winds, there is a rich and charming exhibition of life. .And all 
nature, by graceful forms and delicate tints of color, keeps the eye entranced with de- 
lights and holds the heart in perpetual admiration of the beautiful. 

-Animal life, by its superior organism, manifests a higher degree of perfection and 
beauty than the vegetable. The same laws are active in the growth and adornment of 
each : but, in the former, there is a richer combination of the elements of existence, 
and a more delicate construction of its various parts. It is life wonderfully made, re- 
plete with joyous sensations, and endowed with graceful motion. .And sea and earth, 
and air reveal these forms of elegance. The germs of life have been sown broadcast 
through the universe, and have everywhere unfolded themselves in perfection and 
beauty. To open the eye is to entrance the mind and enrapture the heart. Whatever 
may be the judgment of blear-eyed ignorance and coarse vulgarity, to the cultivated 
and the refineti, the soft and the gentle, all nature expands in perfection and is ( rowned 
with beaut\'. 

ISut human life is the most beautiful of all the forms of existence. It combines the 
excellenc ies of all the other, and has besides a wealth of additional refinetnent and 
glory. In man. the beauty of the flower, advancing through long progressions, and 
rising up through infinite series, finds, at last, its full development, and reaches its 
highest expression. The mere material beauty of nature is here elevated and dignified 
by intelligence, and adorned with pure and noble affections. In the erect form, the 
graceful movement, and the encircling glory of light and love, life attains its zenith of 
perfection ; and we stand, with head uncovered, in the presence of such majesty and 
beauty. .And these superior excellencies beam from sparkling eyes, radiate from glow- 
ing cheeks, and are reflected from graceful forms, till the objects of love are trans 
figured before us, and become bright and beautiful as the light of heaven. There i-- 
beauty everywhere, but nowhere as in the human form ; and we worship in adoring 
silence the skill that formed such wondrous beauty. Sphered in its own perfection, it 
is peerless as the stars, unapproachable as the light. Oh life, animated with intelligence 
and glowing w'ith pure affections, thou art strangely lieautiful ! 

But this beautiful life is very brief. .As the drop of dew. it sparkles for a moment, 
is then exhaled and lost to sight forever. The floating vapor, interwoven with golden 
beams, appears but for a little while, and then \anishes away into thin air, leaving not 
a shadow of existence behind it. The flowers fade and fiill ; the green lea\es sear, 
(juiver for a moment, and then fly away upon autumnal winds; and e\cn the solid 
rocks crumble, and are worn down by the gentle rains that fall to fertilize the earth. 
The human form, strong, erect, beautiful, bows beneath the weight of accumulating 
vears, or stands suddenlv still midway in the toilsome march of life, or pauses, with 



93 

uiisnndled feet. ;n the very eiitr.nu e of the long and weary journey that lies before it. 
I'he Hght fades from tlic beaming eye. the ruby Hps lose their roseate hue. and the 
graceful form stiffens into rigi(lit\'. The beautiful is marred — the loved is lost. Dust 
has returned t(i the earth as it was; and the spirit has returned to (lod who gave it. 

But, beloved, these precious objects of our affection are not dead. The pure and 
the good never die. 'I'hose lovely forms from which the spirit has departed, and which 
lie so still and tran(|uil, are but asleej) ; and sleeping in Jesus, they sleep well, with tlu 
hope of a glorious morrow. l.a\ing them down gently in their narrow chambers, and 
drawing the ciu'tains of darkness softly around them, tliev will sleep beneath the smile 
of (lod, and be guarded by the angels of heaven. .\nd from this slee]). long and pro- 
foinid, they shall be awakened in the "great rising day." The morn of eternity will 
roll a tide of light through these moiddering archways: and along these silent lorridors 
shall echo the \ oice of our Father, arousing His loved children from their dreamless 
slumber to the light and joy of an endless life, ;\nd we bury our beloved dead, "not 
iti the cold ground. bm_ in the warm earth; where the ugly seeds change to (lowers, 
and good peo]jle turn to angels and fly away to heaven." Reason may stand speech- 
less at the mouth of the sepulchre, and affection tearfully ask. If a man die, shall he 
li\e again ? but then comes a voice from the excellent glory, and filling the whole earth 
with gladness, saying, These dead men shall live, together, with my dead body shall 
they arise. .And this dust of the dead, re-organized and glorified, shall live forever in 
the home of the ha|)py. Raised to a s])iritual life, and immeasurably refined, it will 
hold eternal com])anionship with the good, and dwell forever in the mansions of the 
blest. Over this fadeless home of the loved reigns perpetual spring, balmy winds 
breathe o'er flowering plains, murmuring waters brighten beneath cloudless skies, and 
youth, and health and happiness will dwell together forever. From beneath the eternal 
throne, and fed from the fathomless depths of infinite wisdom and goodness, widening 
seas of bliss spread abroad o\er those vast fields of rapture, and up and over the inac- 
cessible heights of glory. .And we will join our kindred on their blooming plains, 
where the bonds of affection will grow brighter forever, and love and friendshi]i will 
strengthen with the re\ obing vcars of eternitv. < )h, what a life awaits us. and our 
beloved dead, just bevf)nd the shadows! 

If these thoughts be true, we shoidd inilulge affection for the dead, and fondly 
< herish the memory of the dep;irted. The dust of the dead, so dear to the living, so 
l>re( ious in the sight of God, and awaiting a destiny so great, should be gathered into 
imperishable urns, and watched with slee|)less vigilance. .\nd all jjeople. in all ages 
of the world, have held sacred the dust of the dead, and denounced as sacrilegious the 
hand that would desecrate their graves. .\nd this sentiment has been common to both 
savage and civilized people ; for all have held the dead in kind remembrance, and 
sought to preserve the remains of the loved froiii destruction. And nothing is more 
beautiful, or touches the heart more tenderly, than the affectionate care that the rude 
as well as the refined have taken of their dead. The ancient Greeks and Romans 
burned the bodies of their dead, and then gathered their ashes into imperishable urns, 



94 
which thev placed in costly tombs along their juililic highways. They also embalmed 
their bodies, and so skillfully did they perform this work, that they have come down 
to us, across the wastes of centuries, almost as they were when laid away liy tile hands 
of affection. .\nd in latter times all ]jeople, but especially the cultivated and the re- 
fined, iiave had their [lublic burial grounds beautified and adorned by all that art and 
wealth could bestow. The living are everywhere honored b\- the rich monuments that 
affection has reared to the memory of the departed. 

.\nd we are here to-day to consecrate these beautiful grounds to our ilead. .\s 
others have done, we would set apart a spot of earth, to hold the ■•dust that once was 
lo\e,' and engage art and wealth in its adornment. .\nd we would beautify these 
cpiiet homes of our dead, whose bright pictures hang in the silent halls of memory, and 
whose names we shall cherish forever. Next to our hearth-stones, around which 
cluster the dearest joys of life, should come the final resting places of our dead. It is 
barbarous to give the loved and unforgotten to rank weeds and to the hand of desecra- 
tion, as if thev held no place in our affections. Let us make a home tor them, 
beautiful as a dream, and which shall last long as the stars shine, or the river rolls its 
bright waters to the sea. The place should be made so attractive that affection will 
make repeated and delighted visits here : and around which memory, even from dis- 
tant lands, will fondlv linger. We will adorn with flower and shrub these winding 
ways and graveled walks, and hang upon these urns garlands of lo\ e and friendship. 
The pearly dawn will spread its rosy light over these green hillocks, and the last beam 
of departing dav will kiss these white monuments, and leave a blessing behind it. 
The night and silence will follow, and the moon and stars, with their mellow radiance, 
will embalm this citv of the dead, and will sit beside these silent portals, keeping un- 
wearied vigils, and |)atiently awaiting the re-a])pearance of the dearly loved and the 
royal guest of heaven. 

It is a pleasure to have a personal interest in th;se beautiful grounds. .\nd it is a 
solemn dutv we owe the dead to ])rovide for them a final home. Every man in all this 
country should purchase one of these lots, and set it apart for himself and family. If 
necessary we should part with the lu.xuries of life, nay, trench upon its very necessities, 
mortgage our surplus lands, to make this investment. By all means, at any reasonable 
sacrifice, let us secure a bit of earth in which to bury our dead. 

CITV .\N'Il rKlNirV (. KMK.tERlES. 

Directly after the dedication of (Ireenwood and sale of lots, citizens commenied 
moving their dead from the two old cemeteries. Many were removed from the City 
Cemetery and handsome monuments erected, and all were removed from Trinitv. 

City Cemeterv, located on Front street, or old I'rovidence pike, is as old as Clarks- 
\ ille. and was established with the early settlements by the purchase of grounds set 
apart for burial purposes, and for years used as a common burying ground. Finally 
more ground was added, a house built for the se.xton, and lots sold for revenue to keeji 
the grounds in order. Lot owners, however, had to take care of their own projierty. 



95 
anil c (insc(|ucntlv lots were fenied. shnibhery and treo |jlanted. and e\'er) one orna- 
mented aicordini; to individual taste and inclination. The teneing was allowed to go 
to decay and a good fence was not kept up until after the establishment of Greenwood. 
Trinity Cemetery consisted of about four acres of ground between Franklin and 
Main streets, about where the colored school building now stands, which was donated 
to Trinity Episcopal Church, about 1840, by John H. Poston, for a cemetery, and was 
entirely under the control and management of the church. Lots were sold for the 
support of the cemetery. It was fenced in and kept in good condition so long as the 
ill I rime lasted, but soon the lots were all sold, and the cemetery filled up; buildings 
had gone up on both sides, and no ground could be had for extending the cemeterv 
and no means devi.sed for its perpetual support, consequently, neglect followed, and 
then general decay and desolation. During the war the fencing was destroyed, monu- 
ments and headstones defaced and broken down, and after the organization of Green- 
wood the ( hiirch made a bargain with Mr. George Cook, giving him the grounds for 
the expense of removing the dead to (ireenwood. 



(•F,.\KKS\II.[.E H(»VS OF 1861. 



F<illiiu iiig is a hcaiitiful extract taken troiii a little ijam|ililet uiitteii and puiilished 
in 1885 liv Lieut. Polk (',. lohnson, member of (Jen. Win. .\. Ouarles' staff in the war 
of the State.s, memorioiis of the Clarksville boy.s of 1861, and is worthy of preser\ation 
for the noble sentiment it ( ontains. showing the tender cords of sympathy that bind 
the hearts of strong men together long years after they iiave trodden the fields of car- 
nage, wading gory streams, marching over mountains and rocky cliffs, bare-footed, 
half-clad, bleeding and hungry : then languishing in the wretched prisons of the enemy, 
suffering four long years' privations and such hardships as military discipline enforces; 
all for sentiment and principle, for home and loved ones — what a glorious e.xample of 
]nire patriotism. Moreover it is a brief history of Stewart College, its noble patron and 
princiijal support, Prot". W'm. M. Stewart : the ojiening of hostilities between the States, 
secession, separation, the excitement that prevailed here, and the principal leaders and 

actors in it ; 

••.Should aukl acquaintance be forgot. 
.\nd never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
.\nd davs n' lang syne." 

The Clarksville l)oys are entitled to a record •■ For auld lang syne, my dears." 

SIKWAKI CIII.I.ECK. 

This institution, founded b\' the Masons, was sold to the Presbyterian Churc h on 
the 25th of ( )ctober, 1855. It was known .is .Masonic (,'oliege till the transfer. Why 
it was called Stewart College was not known to an\- of the boys till an examination of 
the official re( ords of the College, from which I copy: "•That in consequence of the 
munificent donation, of the long-continued and disinterested services, of the ardent 
and untiring (le\-otion to science, and of the high Christian and moral character of 
William M. Stewart, the Presitlent of saitl institution, that it be i ailed in honor of him." 
The last catalogue, i.i.-^ued in 1859-1S60. gives the record of the College as follows: 

Hoard of Trustees — Kryce Stewart, Joshua Elder. I). X. Kennedy, Jas. E. Bailey, 
1. (;. Hornberiier. H. Dunlap. bihn Mi Keat;e. lohn Sta. ker. W, P. Hume. A. Robb. 



97 
1. J. I'l-itrhftt. r. 1, Miinfonl. A. C. Price. I'. K. I'ettus, |. E. Broaddus, ("larksvillo. 
rt-nn.; J. J. White, (iailatin, Tenn.; j. li. White, Nashville. Tenii.; A. (i. Adams, 
.\'ash\ille. leaii.; I'hili|i (iih lifist. Courtland. Al.i.; ISiirt Harrington, 'I'usriiinhia, Ala.: 
1. H. Friersiiii. Mamy Ctninty. Teiin.; Rev. .\. H. liarkley, Madisonville. Tenn.; 
R. .\1. Pattoii. I'l'ireiii e. .Ma.; Re\. \\". .\. Harrison, Kno.wiile, Tenn. 

Fac ult\— Re\. R. I!. .MiMullen. I). I)., President, Professor Mental and Moral 
.Sciences; Re\ . \. \. Doak, I). I)., Professor Latin and Greek ; W. M. Stewart, A. M.. 
Professor Natural Sciemes; W. .A. Forbes, .A. M., Profe.ssor of Pure and Mixed Math- 
ematics; Rev. r. I). Wardlaw, .\. .M., Professor English Literature and Criticism : 
i;. I!. Haskins, .M. !>., Professor Chemistry; J. K. Patterson, A. M., Adjunct Professor 
Latin and Creek, anil Principal Preparatory Department; .A. C. Hirst, Assistant Pre- 
paratiry Department; J. K. Broaddus, Treasurer; W. P. Hume, Secretary of the 
Tnisiees. 

Stiideiv.s — Senior Class, W. H. .Munford, Clarks\ ille. Tenn. Junior Class, Roliert 
W. Pritchett. Clarksvillc. I'enn. SophoTiiore Class, W. 1. Bell, Newbern, Tenn.; (i. 
.M. Callen. Suminerfield. .\la.; 1). F. Clark, (Jallatin, Tenn.; W. J. Dearing, Jr., Oko- 
lona. .Miss.; H. M. Doak, Clarksville, I'enn.; J. H. Doak, Clarksville, 'J'enn.; J. W. 
Jones. Callatin, ieiin.; C. .\. I'ompkins, Clarksville, I'enn.; Eugene Topp, Nashville. 
I'enn. Freshman Class, E. B. Cobb, Clarksville, Tenn.; W. .A. Carth, Trenton, Ky.; 
B. .A. Haskins, Chirks\ille, I'enn.: Thomas D. Henry, Hopkins\ille, Kv.; P. (L |ohn- 
son, Clarksville, Tenn.; Junius Kimble. Clarks\ille, Tenn.; C. W. Leigh, Clarksville, 
Tenn.; R. E. Mi('ullo<h, Clarksville, Tenn.; S. Northington, Port Royal, 'Lenn.; R. 
I'ri(e. Clarksxille, Tenn.; W. S. Sawrie, Clarksville, Tenn. Scientific Department. 
H. N. .Allen. Montgomery County, Tenn.; T. M. Barnes, Clarksville, Tenn.; C. W. 
Bradley, Trenton, Ky. ; H. B. Harris, California; L. F. House, Clarksville, Tenn.; 
W. H. McCuUoch, Clarksville, Tenn.; R. C. Neblett, Clarksville. Tenn.; W. \V. 
riiompson, (Jallatin. Tenn.; .\. P. Tuck. Lafayette. Ky.; R. B. Williams, Clarksville. 
Tenn. 

.Stewart College — now the Southwestern Presbyterian L'niversity — had its buildings 
and its campus in the city limits of Clarksville. Its object and purpose could not be 
better expressed than in the language of him for whom it was named, when speaking 
of its finances: ■•The amount to be raised will place the College on that elevated posi- 
tion of usefulness in the < hur( h and in the world whi( h will be her glory, and enable 
her as a true, 'good mother' to open her treasuries of knowledge to every faithful, 
zealous and earnest son within her bounds, and beyond her bounds, to come and par- 
take without money and without jjrice. " It is regretted that no catalogue was issued 
after the abo\e mentioned, for \ ery man)- of the Preparatory Department had been 
ad\ anted to the College Department, and those in the College Department had also 
been aihanced, and many new names had l)een abided. But I wish only to speak from 
otfii iai records. I'o confine Stewart College to the :d)o\e names would be a great 
injustice, and to the Clarksville boys of i86i a greater. The Ijoys in Stewart College 
111 I SO I were engaged in a laudable ambition to e.xcel each other in their studies, with 



an earnest and faithful Faculty aiding them, and the other boys of Clarksville in the 
discharge of their daily duties. 

EXCITEMENT OF 1 86 1. 

About this time a great excitement prevailed over the whole country, nowhere 
greater than in Clarksville. Lincoln had been elected, and the time was approaching 
for his inauguration. The cotton States had seceded and -were preparing to organize 
a provisional government at Montgomery, Ala., the delegates to convene on the 4th 
of February, 1861. The people of Tennessee, distrustful of the Governor and its 
Legislature, had a convention called direct from the people to meet in Nashville on the 
25th day of February, 1861, and also to vote upon the question of "Convention or no 
Convention." The two parties of this and counties connected with them in the Flo- 
torial and Senatorial districts, each called conventions to meet in Clarksville, on the 
28th of January, 1861, to send delegates to the State Convention. 

1_"M0N P.^RTV. 

The Union party met first in the Circuit Court room of the then Court House (now 
burned), and after a full organization, among the first speakers called on was Hon. 
G. A. Henry, who spoke warml}- and eloquently of our sister Southern States, and 
urged our people to join them. Hon. James E. Baile}'. Hon. John F. House, and 
Hon. Cave Johnson, and perhaps others, also spoke, and urged the people to stand by 
the Union. During the speech of Hon. Cave Johnson, it then being late in the day. 
Hon. Wm. A. Quarles asked the speaker to allow him to interrujit him, which being 
allowed, he e.xpressed his regrets at having to interrupt him, but as a convention of the 
"Southern Rights Party" had been called for that day, and as the hour had long sinct- 
passed for them to meet, and it appeared this convention would take up the whole day. 
he desired to announce that the "State's Rights Party" would meet at once in the 
County Court room below. Hon. G. A. Henry was expected to be one of the nominees 
of this convention, but his speech being unsatisfactory, he was not mentioned, and the 
following nominations were made : Senatorial District, Cave Johnson, of Montgomery ; 
Flotorial District, James E. Bailey, of Montgomery : County. John F. House. 

SOUTHERN RIC.HTS P.^RTV. 

Hon. D. N. Kennedy was called to the chair. \\'. T. Dortch was appointed 
Secretary. Delegates — Stewart County, T. .\scue, C. S. Summers. S. W. Martin, E. 
D. Sargent, C. Brandon, Jr., .\. B. Ross, Christopher Dudley, and T. H. Riggs : 
Robertson Countv. L. Moody, Jesse Darden, William Go.ssett. and Thomas Jones: 
Montgomery County, W. L. Hiter. R. F. Ferguson, M. E. Wilcox, Dr. Nick North- 
ington, Ivory Johnson, Maj. M. G. Gholson, D. N. Kennedy, Dr. James Bowling. 
W. T. Dortch, George B. Fleece, Dr. E. B. Haskins, W. A. Quarles, and Dr. John 
F. Outlaw; Davidson County, B. F. Cheatham, A. J. Hoojjer, (ieorge Keeling, Col. 
T. Taylor, J. K. Bruce, T. Craighead, R. M. Southall, .Archer Cheatham, J. F. 



99 
ISrewer, George Diggons, and ( leorge Cunningham. Though not reported as delegates, 
the ])roceedings show that W. hi. Lowe and Dr. Thomas Manees took part in the 
( onvention. This convention made nominations as follows; Senatorial District, G. A. 
Henry, of Montgomery ; Flotorial District, W. P. Bryan, of Davidson; County, G. A. 
Harrell. On the following day an address of this party was issued to the people with- 
drawing these candidates, and setting forth their views of public matters, signed: I). 
N. Kennedy, R. F. Ferguson. Dr. James Bowling, Geo. D. Martin, W. A. Quarles. 
Thus the Union candidates were left without opposition. 

THE KLECTION. 

The election was held at the appointed time. The Union party carried everything 
before them. Their candidates were unanimously elected, the convention defeated. 
.\n anomaly in politics; the election of their own candidates and the defeat by them 
of the convention they themselves called, and to which their candidates were elected. 

TROUBLES NOT ENDED. 

However hopeful the .State may have been of these results, it is not safe to calcu- 
late that the calm of January and February will continue through the year. It's not 
in these months that the thunder's peal is heard and the lightning's flash is seen and 
felt. It's later on. So with the calm in the State. It hardly waited for the Spring- 
time. The shot was fired. The President called for seventy-five thousand troops. 
The cloud which had hovered over the State, and thought to have been calmed, 
gathered its strength, and a mighty cyclone swept it from one end to the other, and 
especially in Clarksville and Montgomery county, and carried everything before it ; 
e\en the mighty old oak (Cave Johnson) was uprooted, protesting always against the 
right of secession, but believing in the right of revolution; and protesting still more 
against the right of coercion, which he had done as early as 1832, in the time of Jack- 
son. He was seen advising all young men and old (who were able) to resist with 
arms. .\n election was held on the 8th of June, 1861, for "Separation or No Separa- 
tion, " when Tennessee joined her Southern sisters by an overwhelming majority. 
Clarksville ga\ e but one vote against it, Montgomery county but eight, as far as we 
have been able t(j learn. 

THE KEi;-INNIN(; OF TENNESSEE'S P.-\KT IN THE \V.-\R. 

.\ Declaration of Independence having been submitted by act of the Legislature, 
]jassed May 6th, 1861, the Legislature appointed Commissioners "to enter into a 
Military League with the authorities of the Confederate States and with such other 
slaveholding States as may wi.sh to enter into it, having in view the protection and 
defen.se of the entire South against the war that is now being carried on against it." 
( )n the same day the (Governor was ordered to call out a military force of 25,000 men 
for active servite, and 30,000 men for reserve. The Governor was authorized to issue 
$5,000,000 of bonds for the defense of the State, and the "public faith and credit of 



lOO 

the State for the |.ia\nient of interest, etc., " was pledged. County Courts were author- 
ized to assess and levy taxes for the relief and support of the families of volunteers 
whilst in actual service. 

Under these provisions of law and others, with special direction, the (then) (io\- 
ernor of Tennessee, Isham G. Harris, called for 25,000 troops. The ("larksville b.iys 
made prompt response. No longer were group.s of college boys, earnest in their 
studies, to be seen under the shade of the old oaks in the college campus engaged with 
their books; no longer the idle in gay conversation upon the steps of the college. The 
whole .scene was changed — books w-ere thrown away, and the grounds became a Champ 
lie Mars. The tramp of the soldier, the commands of the officer (I'rof. William .A. 
Forbes) were alone to be seen or heard upon the grounds or in the halls of the college. 
:ind the same s[iirit animated the bo\-s not in college. Tlie spirit was not confined to 
the bo\s — the men were equally enthusiastic, and the noble women surpassed them all. 

The first ])ublic meeting perhaps ever held, when soldiers were present, was in 
front of the Bank of Tennessee (now the Bank of Clarksville) when Capt. William .-\. 
Forbes marched his company (the writer at the time being one) and took position 
immediately in front of the stone steps now standing. At that time the present market 
house was not built, and it was supposed that this was the best place for a public meet- 
ing. A large crowd was present, and many strong and jjatriotic speeches w'ere made. 
Speaking now from memory, I onl\' remember Isaac Brunson, Cave Johnson and 
I. ( ). Shackelford, though others spoke. The boys and the men were urged to battle, 
and the latter .speaker specially urged his own son. then in ;he company, to die. if 
needs be, in the defense of his country. I might add here that the son, a boy, obeyed 
the advice, and the battle-field of Gettysburg now holds his bones. The ladies organ 
ized a sewing society in the room now occupied by John F. Couts, to which nearly 
every lady in Clarksville belonged, and nearly their whole time wa; given to miking 
clothing for the soldiers. 

It is not my purpose to enter into a detail of the organization of Forbes' conipan\ 
and regiment, the 14th Tenn.. Sugg's 50th Tenn.. Quarles' 42d. Bailey's 49th. 
Heiman's loth. Woodard's cavalry, Dortch's cavalry, and other commands, but simpiv 
to call attention to the spirit of the jjeople at that time, which urged the Clarksville 
l)ovs to action. Even as .\braham journeyed to the Mount of Moriah. bearing his son. 
his •• onlv begotten son Isaac," to be offered as a burnt offering, did these boys journey 
to the mountains of Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia, bearing with them a greater sac- 
rifice — themselves (for what greater sacrifice than offering one's self tor another, or for 
a cause?) But unlike Abraham, no " ram caught in a thicket by his horns"" was there 
as a substitute. The sacrifice was made, and to-day nearly every field of battle from 
the Potomac, yea, from beyond, from Gettysburg to the Mississippi river, claims the 
precious bones of some of the Clarksville boys: and crossing this mighty river into the 
Trans-Miss. Dept. (as it was known in w-ar times) one is believed to have fallen along 
with the noble boy of Texas, a son of the hero of St. Jacinto (a friend and companion 
of the writer in prison) as noble in his manhood arid appearance as his father, and who 



lOI 

doubtless went into the battle remembering that the bridges were cut behind him, and 
with the words of the old hero, "Remember the Alamo," " ^'ictory or Death," still 
fresh in his mind, he met death as the brave only (an. 

Before proceeding further, however, probaljly 1 should give the records of the stti- 
dents mentioned above of Stewart College. 'I'heir names are simply given as the only 
official record I could obtain, and, as I learned, the last issued of the College Depart- 
ment. I give it simply in illustration. The college boys who had been graduated did 
their duty as well ; the preparatory department ecpially so. The boys of Clarksville 
and the college were equally true. As I say, I give these simply as a sani])le of the 
ai:tion of all the Clarksville boys. .Above are named thirty-two boys. From the best 
information, after much incpiiry, of the number there entered the Confederate arm\ 
twenty-nine, leaving but three who did not. Of the twenty-nine who went into the war 
all were faithful. There were killed in liattle si.xteen ; died by disease in war or since, 
seven : total deaths, twenty-three ; survivors, nine. 

I do not wish to say anything of the details of the war, of any of its battles or en- 
gagements ni this < onnection. The boys met all its requirements. It is a mistaken 
idea to think the horrors of war are composed simply of battles. There is prison life. 
Who that has been a prisoner doesn't understand that? Then the march through mud 
and water; then the march through the dust of Mississippi; then the weariness of 
camp life; then the fatigue of the knap-sack and cartridge box on the march ; then the 
exposure, without cover and without blankets ; then the free/,ing cold ; then the empty 
canteen; then the empty haversack; then thirst: then hunger; then the going bare- 
footed; then the sore feet ; then the military discipline ; then battle; then death ; then 
to the survi\ors the burial of the dead; then defeat and retreat; then continued strug- 
gle ; then hopes tlestroyed ; then patriots rallying, and again and again a repetition of 
all these troubles, through four long years of war, with the parents and friends of the 
boys at home, with rare communication with them, and the boys never seeing them, 
while many passed into the grave. These arc but a fcto of the trials. \'et the Clarks- 
ville boys and .Stewart College boys bravely and faithfully bore them all. 

IHK RKIURN. 

A few only of the Clarksville boys, imdcr a kind Providence, were permitted to 
return. They came, as paroled /m(;«cy'-.f, to their homes. Six from .\ppomattox Court 
House, Va. , concluded to take what was known as the " Northern Route" — Dr. T. D. 
Johnson, Win. H. Green, A. J. Allensworth, myself, and two others whose names are 
not now remembered. After a walk of one hundred miles we arrived in Richmond on 
the i6th day of April, 1865. As soon as we could get passports we went to Baltimore. 
When we reached Baltimore, with other Confederates, the howl of the mob was heard : 
•' Hang them! hang them! hang them!" was heard on every side. "They wont 
starve any more Union prisoners." "They won't assassinate any other President." 
" Hang them ! hang them! ' and thousands followed us with this cry, so much so thar 
we were advised not to go to the tables to get our meals, and did not. I have read of 



I02 

the howl of the moli, but ne\er knew its meaning until then. I am glad, however, to 
say it came from the citizens and " Home (Guards." who never heard the sound of a 
cannon nor the whistle of a bullet. The soldiers, who met us on the field, treated us 
with coiirtesv wherever we met them, as the bra\e always treat the brave. 

This was the treatment of the so-called citizens and Home (luards. Its real and 
true citizens were faithful then as ever in the past. When they could avoid the mob 
every attention was paid us. Clothing was furnished, money was given to bear our ex- 
penses home after the Federal Government had refused us further transportation. 
Among the number (so long time has passed) I can only mention a few — Mr. McGraw, 
postmaster of Baltimore in 1844; Mr. McLaughlin, one of the proprietors of Barnum's 
Hotel ; his noble sister ; Mr. \N'illiams, brother of Capt. Williams, of Archer's staff, and 
the whole of Barnum's Hotel, proprietors, clerks and employes, and many, many 
others whose names I regret I cannot remember. While 1 regret the impossibility of 
giving all names, I do not hesitate to say that under all the surroundings and circum- 
stances this was the most grateful service ever rendered the Confederates. 

On the 22d day of April, i865,> these six, as the first paroled prisoners, arrived 
upon a train at the depot, near where the old passenger depot used to stand (in front 
of the residence of Dr. Edward Thomas). They returned as prisoners upon parole: 
their flag had ceased to wave ; they came in defeat ; they came helpless and hopeless, 
but thanks to God the same noble women who had bade them go to battle were there. 
Whatever men may have done, the women were there. Upon one hill the Federal 
.soldiers had congregated ; ujjon the other, or rather at the train, the women had, the 
information of our return having been sent bv Bryce Stewart from Louis\ ille, who had 
kindly aided our return. Never did men have a warmer reception. Had we returned 
with a trium])hal car and the trophies of war it could not have been more impressive. 



- We are told that memories must be blotted out. No, never! Go to the 14th 
Tennessee Regiment and ask them to forget Forbes and Harrell and the long list of 
dead they left behind them? V-o to the loth Tennessee Infantry and ask them to for- 
get Randall McGavock, and Heiman. and the others of their dead? Go to the 49th 
Tennessee Regiment and ask them to forget Alfred Robb, Anderson, Theo. Coulter, 
Bob Bringhurst and others of their dead ? Go to the 50th Tennessee Regiment and 
ask them to forget Cyrus Sugg, Thomas Beaumont, Chris. Robertson, Fletcher Beau- 
mont and others of their dead? Go to Morgan's Cavalry and ask them to forget Mor- 
gan and their dead? (lo to Woodard's Cavalry and ask them to forget Woodard and 
their dead ? (io to the loth Tennessee Cavalry and ask them to forget their dead ? do 
to the boys at Fort Donelson and ask them to forget that noble man, Reuben Ross, 
who was afterwards killed in battle ? ( io, where I can speak from personal knowledge, 
to the officers and men of (,)uarles' Brigade, and ask them to forget its action in the 
war? See them in the engagements around .\tlanta ? See them formed for the charge 
on the 28th day of July, 1864, within 150 yards of the enemy's works (a day that this 



103 
brigade will never forget)? See the conflict, and the General pressing his men for- 
ward? See his horse killed under him? See him dismount a staff officer, and mount- 
ing the second it is killed under him ? See him dismount the second staff officer, and 
the third horse falls under him ? See poor Ashton Johnston, of St. Louis, Missouri, 
A. L). C. to the General, shot through the head and killed ? See Col. W. F. Young, 
of the 49th Tennessee Regiment, as his arm is torn from him by the shots of the 
enemy and a minie ball is imbedded in the large silver watch over his heart? See 
Captain Dunlap, from Charlotte, drop, killed as he is carrying Col. Young from the 
field ? See Capt. Thomas H. Smith assuming the command of the 49th Tennessee 
Regiment, after six of his superior officers have fallen? See the colors of the regiment 
with its flag-staff shot through and thirty-two bullets sent through the flag ? See Col. 
White, of the 53d Tennessee, shot down? See Col. Knox, of the ist Alabama Regi- 
ment, shot down ? See the other officers and men who were killed and wounded ? 
See the retreat of about 150 yards, and a new line formed, and hear the fearful cries of 
the wounded but a short distance from it (within hearing) but beyond their reach ? 
See the fearful carnage, by which more than one-half of the brigade was killed or 
wounded? See the hospital next day, with its pile of amputated limbs, and the suffer- 
ing of the wounded ? Go to the graves of poor Ashton Johnston (a boy of eighteen 
years) and Capt. Dunlap, the only two of our dead carried from the field ? See the 
coffins made for them of planks off an old fence, and hear the solemn service, as it is 
read, " Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust," in the presence of a few men, 
for no women were there (the enemy's shell and shot having driven them away)? Who 
can think of a grave without a woman ? 

The idea prevails that men in war become used to the sight of blood and are hard- 
hearted. No greater mistake was ever made. Duty compels them at times to "let 
the dead bury their dead," but the sorrow to the soldier over his fallen comrade is equal 
to that any man is ever called on to bear. 

'• For he to-day that sheds his blood with me 
Shall be my brother; be he ever so vile. 
This day shall gentle his condition." 

When we remember this day and the official report of (^uarles" Brigade on the 
next, recording the names of the killed and wounded, being over one-half of the brigade, 
and remember our friends (men like ourselves, with the same prospects in life), is it 
strange we should have felt — 

"Thou grim King of Terrors, thou life's gloomy foe! 
Go frighten the coward and slave; 
Go teach them to tremble, fell tyrant; but know 
No terrors hast thou to the brave! 

"Thou strik'st the dull peasant — he sinks in the dark. 
Nor saves e'en the wreck of a name! 
77/0// strik'st the voi/za; hero — // glorious mark — 
He falls in the I'laze of his faiiier 



I04 
Can ue forget the- long, dreary marches from Atlanta, the fight at Jonesboro, and 
ihe proud exidtation in every step of the boys as they came upon Sherman's rear, cut 
his rommunications, and took up the line of march for Tennessee? Can we forget the 
barefooted bo\s who marched the roi kv hills of Ceorgia and Alabama with the blood 
running from their shoeless teet, ami who would each evening, when the weary march 
was ended, almost fight for a green hide, stripped from the cattle, with which to make 
them moccasins? 'j'hese b()\s left their homes with the almost certainty of imprison- 
ment, and of death. i'hey re( ei\ed the one or the other — death or iiiiprisoiiiiiriit — t/h 
:^n;it iiidjority botli — these boys in (Juarles' brigaile uncomplainingly following their 
leader. .\sk them of the man h into Tennessee an(i the battle of Franklin, with (jnly 
a small jiart of the army, separated troni iheir supply trains, with little artillery, the 
same unfaltering heroes dashing at the enem\'s lines? .\sk them about the "Rebel 
yell" when the fir.st lines were taken? .\bout the unbroken ranks as they pushed on 
for the second time, hidden b\- the smoke of the enemy's guns, with their comrades 
tailing around them, their feet torn from luider them by shot and shell, and, exhausted, 
falling against the enemy's works? Recovering their l)reath they mounted the works 
to be |)ushed back In su]jerior numbers. L'nconquered as thev were, they [nished the 
guns over the works where others were fighting. 

.\sk about the old ciitton gin? Ask this brigade to forget its General (William .A. 
(^uarles) the man whi, among the fir.^t of the peo|)le, called the boys to arms, and who 
to till- I lit \\\\> with them? A^k them to forget the fearful charge at Franklin, when 
their (ieneral. more unfortunate than in the /"(mY, had no horses killed under him. but 
himself wa-, carried to the rear b\ one of his old faithful horses still left? A kind 
Providence, in the past, ha<l spared him. In the other conflicts he, in his serxice to 
his countr\. had lost three horses. Now he is carried to the rear, shot through the 
hand (se\erely) antl also through the arm. Se\erel\- shot twice, he remaineil in ihe 
hospital until long after the close of the war. .\sk this brigade to t'orget Theo. (.'oulter. 
Robert liringhurst. J. (\. Hallod). Robert J. Coostree. |. R. Jarrell, and many others 
uhii were killed; the gallant Col. Thomas M. .\tkins. who was captured, and others? 
.\sk them to forget the manly I'orm of Ste|ihen .\. Crowley, a boy of twenty years of 
age, when five fatal shots went tlirougln his binU and he was ■•gathered to his Father's?" 
He was an orphan boy, but a true soldier alwa\s. and no man of Quarles' Krigade will 
ever forget him. ('apt. Thomas H. Smith! The Clarksville boys are not willing to 
forget Captain Smith (the lew of us who are left). Thew like all other boys in time of 
great trouble (in I'act. at all times) need a father. When captured at Fort Donelson, 
and they were carried to Camp Douglass, at Chicago, 111., he was a father to them, and 
closed as brilliant a career as \\\\\ man might be proud of, being shot through the neck 
.It Franklin, in the \ erv fiercest struggle of the battle; and Tieing made a prisoner, did 
not reicner till long alter the war. 

.\sk the bo\s to tbrget the abo\e! 'Then go ask tlie Christian to forget Bethlehem 
and the lite of sacrifice and suffering it ga\e the world. To forget (lethsemane and 
Cabary — ■'the agony and bloody sweat:" the scourges and the crown of thorns; the 



iToss and its \'i( tiin? When tlif Christian forgets these, Christianity is dead. When 
the patriot forget-, the >a( rilu es made for country, ])atriotism is dead. But these meni- 
iiries are hulv memories; thev are to he preserved as we preserve the memorv of those 
dear to lis who sleep in our cemeteries. 



•:-*?^- 



CKX. \V1I.I.1.\.\I A. ()L\\ri.j:s. 



Hrig.-Clen. William A. Qiiarles was horn on the 4th day of July, 1825, near Louisa 
Court House. \"irginia. His parents were \'irginians. Their ancestors came to |ames- 
town at an early day in the lolonial history of that .State. His maternal ancestry were 
Huguenots, his mother on that side heing of the fourth generation in descent. His 
tather and grandfather were lawyers. His maternal grandfather was Clerk of the 
.Su|jerior Court of his county. In 1830, at the age of five years, he was hrought ]>\ 
hi> family to the southern part of Christian county, Ky. He was taught at home until 
old enough, and sufficiently advanced for college, when he was sent to the Universitv 
of \irginia f)n September ist, 1845, where he pursued his academic and law studies 
until railed home hy the death of his father, whose family and the business of his estate 
recpn'red his attention. He was admitted to the bar in 1848, and permanently settled 
in Clnrksvillc. He was eminently successful in his ])rofession, and at the beginning 
cif the war not only occupied the first position at the bar of his county, hut also in the 
State, and had accumidated an estate which made him independent. In the Presiden- 
tial canvass ot 1852 (Pierce and .Scott), he was elector for his ( 'ongressional District on 
the l)emoirati( tii ket. his opponent heing Hon. J(jhn A. .\IcEwen. of Davidson 
1 cninty. In 1858 he was a candidate for Congress against Hon. Felix K. Zollicoffer, a 
Whig, without hope of election, but to keep up the organization of his party. The 
district was largely Whig, never less than 1.500 majority, (len. Zollicoffer had alrcad\ 
served in Congress and was very pojnilar. The result was the defeat of (len. Quarles 
h\- only 250 or 275 votes. .Soon thereafter he was apjjointed Circuit Court Judge dur- 
ing the sickness of Judge W. W. Pepper, and held the office for about a year, turning 
over his salary to Judge Pepper. , He was .soon afterwards appointed President of the 
Mem])his, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad Comi>i}ny, and was greatly instnmiental in 
the building of that road. In 1859, without solicitation, he was ajjpointed Hank 
Supervisor of th^ State I)y f iovernor Harris. He enjoyed the friendshijj and confidence 
of all the leading Democrats of the State at that day, and the res])ect and confidence 



io6 
of all parties. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Cincinnati 
in i>S56, Charleston in i860, and Chicago in 1883. 

The call to arms in 1861 found him in easy circumstances, enjoying a lucrative 
practice and surrounded by all the comforts and pleasures an elegant home and a 
refined family could afford. But his country called him from these surroundings to 
the field. He obeyed. It is not surprising when it is remembered that he was born 
upon Independence Day, and was descended from the Huguenots, that he should have 
been among the first to respond to the call. His service was promptly tendered to the 
Confederate Government at Montgomery, Ala., and he was urged by the Secretary 
of War (Walker) to remain in Tennessee and aid in inducing Tennesseans to join their 
Southern friends. This he did. He was soon appointed aid-de-camp upon the staft" 
of Cen. Samuel R. Anderson. His official relations as Supervisor of the Bank, enabled 
him to be chiefly instrumental in obtaining for the State three or four millions of dollars. 
The second military camp organized in Montgomery county was named Camp Quarles. 
thus showing not only the prominent part taken by him in the beginning, but also the 
high esteem in which he was held by the people. He was appointed from the staff of 
Gen. Anderson to the command of a camp of instruction at Camp Cheatham in Rolv 
ertson county, where he organized the famous 426. Tennessee Regiment, and was 
ordered to Fort Donelson. Here it might be said that his military record began. 
Among the first to espouse the cause of the South, he participated in the first great 
battle of the West, and through the long struggle of four years was always with his 
command and foremost in battle until shot down at Franklin, where he lay till long 
after the close of the war. He was no short-lived hero who 

"Struts and frets his hour upon the stage 
And then is heard no more," 

hut a real, living, breathing hero, true to every duty whether it be in cam]) or on the 
long and weary march, or in the fierce and angry conflict of arms. 

He was engaged in the following battles: Fort Donelson, Tenn.; Port Hudson, 
La.; Jackson, Miss.; New Hope Church, Ga.; Pine Mountain, fia.; Kennesaw Moun- 
tain, Ga.; Smyrna Depot, Ga.; Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Ga.; Lick-Skillet Road. 
Atlanta, Ga.; Franklin, Tenn. At the last battle he fell, fearfully, and, it was supposed, 
mortally wounded, with two niinie balls, one through his arm near the shoulder, the 
other through his hand. His command was nearly destroyed. His A. A. A. G., 
Wm. B. Munford, and his A. I. G. ,S. A. Cowley, were killed by his side. We have 
no official record of the killed and wounded. A newspaper report at the time says the 
49th Tennessee Regiment lost in killed, missing and wounded, 92 of 129 who went 
into the battle, thus leaving 37 men in the Regiment. It is the opinion of all the sur- 
vivors that the other regiments suffered as severely as the 49th Tennessee. In this 
conflict General Quarles, true as he always was to his cause, made extra efforts to 
shield his staff and men from danger. He was always in front upon horseback, but 
especiallv upon this occasion, until his horse carried him wounded to the rear, as the 



I07 
(omniand supposed, to die. This would probably have been the result had he not 
fallen into the hands of the great chaplain Tennessee gave to the Confederacy. K\ ery 
soldier knows his name, and the name of Rev. C. T. Quintard is only mentioned here 
for the instruction of posterit\. It van not be known what might have been the results 
if he had not been present to nurse the wounded soldier ; he occupied the double rela- 
tion of surgeon and spiritual adviser, and the (ieneral now lives and is a member of the 
faithful cha]jlaiu's church. 

In the other engagements in which (len. Quarles' brigade was engaged, as also in 
tlie skirmishes which it had daily, it suffered in losses about as other commands, excejjt 
at the battle of I.ick-Skillet Road, .\tlanta. This battle began at about one hour liefore 
sundown, or rather (Quarles' brigade was ordered to the attack at that time. The Gen- 
eral, in a slouch hat and in his shirt sleeves, ordered the advance and assault upon the 
enemies' ranks. His horse was killed under him. He dismounted a staff officer and 
took his horse and again made the charge. Again his horse fell. His brigade was de- 
feated. The official record made the ne.xt day by the writer shows: Killed, 76; 
wornded, 400; missing, 19. The brigade had been reduced by previous engagements 
and this number of killed and wounded was more than one-half of the whole brigade. 
The brigade, and especially the writer, desired to know the fate of its Cleneral. and 
they asked : 

"Lives he, good Uncle? Thrice within this hour 

I saw him down ; thrice up again and fighting : 

From helmet to the sjiur, all blood he was.'' 

Here, and upon this day, a brotherhood was formed, not with oaths and pledges. 
It was born of patriotism and love of country, nurtured in the fatigue of camp and 
uijon the march, approved its manhood on the field of battle and sealed its bond with 
the blood of heroes. 

.\fter the close of the war and Gen. Quarles' recovery from his wounds, he re- 
turned to Clarksville, where he has since been engaged in the practice <jf law. with the 
same success that attended him before the war, being employed in every suit of import- 
ance. He represented the counties of Robertson, Montgomery and Stewart in the 
State Senate in 1875. He represented Tennessee again in the National Conventions of 
1880 and 1884; and has at all times been prominent in politics, though rarely a candi- 
date for office, and has probably done more service for his part\- and sought less of 
recognition therefor than any man in the State. 

Being confined to small space by the historian, this is all I can say of our General. 
Having served upon his staff and knowing his gallant deeds both in camp and upon 
the field, the writer thinks a whole book would scarcely do him justice. The sadness 
and pain to me of this short skerch can hardly be realized. Calling to mind the boys 
who composed the personal staff of Gen. Quarles and remembering the fate of each, 
.\shton Johnston, A. I). C, killed at Lick-Skillet Road, Atlanta; W. B. Munford, A. 
.\. .\. G., and "Stephen A. Cowley. A. I. (J., killed at the battle of Franklin; G. 
Thomas Cox, A. .^.(i.; Thomas L. Bransford, Ord. Officer, and Captain Shute, A. A. 



1). ('..all since (lead, reminds tlie writer that tlmugh he has iKit reached his fortieth 
vear he is the sole survivor of that noble little band of bovs. 



QUARLES' BRICADE. 



The following is from the jien of (len. Quarles. in answer to an inquirv in refer- 
ence to the history of his brigade : 

Limited as this commimication must be, it will be impossible for the writer to do 
justice to this noble brigade. What we will say will be the rough sketch of the picture 
rather than a real and life-like portraiture of the service it performed. The space will 
admit of a mere summary of events, and will necessarily exclude those details so neces- 
sary and so important to give grace and soul and a life hereafter to the story of the 
chronicler. 

When 1 claim for this brigade a position in the front rank of the soldiers of the 
South — as I shall with perfect confidence claim — indeed, when it is claimed that it was 
one of the best, if not the best, brigade in the service, I trust it will t)e understood I 
make no invidious distinctions, or, in fact, any claim of superior merit: but the excel- 
lence of its soldiery was the result, jiartlv accidental arising from inferior opportunit\ , 
and partly, it is but just to say, to the first-rate material of which it was composed ; for 
every soldier in its ranks, and every officer having command, was a volunteer. Its 
muster rolls have the names of but five conscripts on their pages. They rallied to their 
flag because honestly and earnestly they believed the struggle they were about to make, 
and did make, was not to dissolve, but to preserve, the Union — a common birthright 
inherited from revolutionary ancestors — a union of co-equal sovereignties, with a con- 
stitution of governmennt of equal rights and equal obligations, and each of these so\ - 
ereignties. it was believed, was equally bound, in proportion to the relative strength of 
each, to preserve, guard, and obey the laws of the Federal government within the 
limits of its constitutional provisions. 

To do full justice to the regiments t'omposing this brigade the services of each 
should be given before it became a part of the brigade organization. F>ach regiment 
and the battery (Yates') attached to it, had won honorable distinction in hard-fought 
battles liefore it became a part of Quarles' brigade. But this detail of service must 
necessarilv lie left to the future chronicler of each component part when its history is 
written. .\t Shiloh, at Ponelson, at Island No. Ten, and others, the\- had had their 
baptism of fire, and even though but a few weeks before, at their (juiet hcjmes in the 
pursuit of a peaceful life, they had exhibited that steadiness of courage in resisting, and 
readiness and vigor in making, attacks, for which they afterward became so well known 



I09 

in the Arm\ fit" leniu-ssce. IndcL-J, upon the occasion of an application for one or 
more regiments to act as a su])p.irt and reserve for this brigade, which, as it happened, 
was holding the most important, and, at the same time, the weakest part of the line, 
(ieneral Hood, then in i ommaiul of the army, saitl in rejilv : "No, sir. It is ininec- 
essar\-. Canaries' lirigade has ne\er lost a picket line. 1 will lie responsible that that 
portion of the line will be held." And it is with proud satisfaction that I here say that 
this just and deserved comiiliment was ecpially as aiiplicable to the brigade to the end 
of the war. They never lost a picket line, or gave way to the enemy, until ordereci by 
their offii er, it mattered not what the condition of things or what the suijeriority of 
lumibers. Hood, " the bravest of the brave," was chary of comphments, but when he 
belie\ed it was deserved, and the time came to speak, he was ever ready to bear willing 
tribute of jjraise. The old soldier who has himself had the experiences of the varying 
fortunes of war, will well understand the high measure of praise this language imparts, 
and will be ready to look leniently upon the pride and profound gratification with 
which I — who owe so miu:h to this noble brigade, and who e\en to this day can num- 
ber every individual, both men and officers, among my dearest and warmest personal 
friends — repeat this so fully-merited compliment. But I am admonished by my fast- 
increasing lines that I mirst forbear, hoiting at some future time and occasion to do 
justice to the une.xcelled courage, conduct and merits of the men and officers, inclusive, 
of the whole, both field and staff, whose enduring courage and uncomplaining fortitude 
under such privations and hardships as neither the retreat from Moscow nor that of our 
Revolutionary arm\' to and at the camp of Valley Forge, can furnish parallels — and 
even mark and number these soUliers along with those of whom it may be said : The\' 
may have had their ec]uals ; they have never been excelled. 

I can not close this article without a word of acknowledgment and deserved tribute 
to my staff, composed mainly of young and unmarried men. When it became mydut)', 
as it often did, to send them into the very jaws of death, I had at least the poor satis- 
faction of knowing that if any casualty occurred there would be no widows' tears or 
orphans' cries to be heard. Their faithful and uncomplaining service, their amiable 
accomplishments in camp, their high and honorable characters, their unflinching cour- 
age on the battle-field, and always-ready hand to aid in soothing the wounded or minis- 
tering to the sick, made them not only the admiration of all who knew them, but dear 
to me as if they had been the children of my own loins. Alas ! how sadly I write these 
lines, a poor tribute to my noble boys, now that twenty years have passed away, and 
along with it so many of them. Piut one remains on earth of my personal staff — Polk 
(i. Johnsim. .At the time I appointed him my aid-de-camp — though the position was 
one of importance — he was but a beardless boy in his teens. His conduct did not dis- 
appoint my expectations. Faithful in the discharge of every duty, he was gifted with 
a versatility that rendered him most useful in taking the place, as he often did, of other 
staff officers, who, from sickness, wounds, or other casualties, were untit for service. 
.\s assistant inSpector-general, assistant adjutant-general, etc., or in his own official po 
sition, he was to me invaluable, obedient to his superiors, polite and affable to and with 



I lO 

the men — alu;i\s veadv to j^et between them and the harsh apiilications (if miHtary rule 
— he tenipereil (lis( iphne u ith kindness. Cheertul and h.i|)|i\ in temperament, he aided 
L;reatly in niakini; the dull routine of camp life enjoxable. and never shrank from shar- 
int; the hardships or doing his part of the labor of the mar< h and the hixouai . Hut it 
was in the battle — when the pickets had fallen bark and the lines met, or when the 
rolunin of attai k, u ith fn'm and silent niareh. met the deathd)earini; storm of battle — 
shot and shell-that he pr<i\ed himself •■e\"er\- inch a soldier." 

1 had read in classic literature of the ••guan.lia certameries " (the joy of the ion- 
test) but ne\er realized it till 1 saw him in battle, where death and glory stood hand in 
hand ready to be wooed and won by the daring and the bra\e. . . . Hut my boy 
aid-de-cam|) of the glorious hours m\ subject arouses my memory to recall, is now the 
man of forty years, as true, as faithful, as ready to do every duty of civil life as of that 
hour, beloved and respected by all. He hlls an office of great importanc e and trust 
(Clerk and Master of Chancery Court, at Clarks\ ille, {'enn.) with honor to himself and 
satisfaction to those havin" business with his office and its court. 



i^^' 



I'HK FOR l'\ NIMH IKXN'ESSEE IXFANTRV. 



Just before the war the people of Montgomery county were almost imanimously 
in favor of preserving the Federal Union; but when President Lincoln called for troops 
to subdue the South, there was a complete revolution in public feeling. .\t the election 
held for "separation" or "'no separation,'' they were almost unanimous. I remember 
but one \ ote in the whole < ountv tor "■separation." The spirit of the people was 
high. F'.xery man able to s])eak spoke in opposition to the jiroclamation of the Presi- 
dent, and advised resistant e. The women were etpially enthusiastic, and encouraged 
their husbands and sons to take jjart with their Southern friends. The little boys and 
girls evinced their svm]iath\ w ith this feeling b\' wearing ( ockades. some of blue ribbon 
and a |)almetto bran< h as represenlati\e of South Carolina, and some of red ribbon 
with (.orn-shiuks and ( orn as representative of Tennessee. 

During the excitement (iov. Harris made a call for troops, which was promptly 
respondetl to. Col. Wm. .\. F'orbes organizing the gallant F'ourteenth Tennessee Regi- 
ment, which was forwarded to Virginia. Col. Forbes was then a professor in Stewart 
College, ancl all the students were anxious to join him: but he would not allow the 



Iioys to go to war without the consent of their parents. At this they were indignant, 
thinking the restriction uncalled for. 

Leave not our sires to stem the unequal fight, 

Whose limbs are nerved no more with buoyant might, 

Nor lagging backward let the younger breast 

Permit the man of age (a sight unblessed) 

To welter in the comlwt's foremost thrust, 

His hoary head disheveled in the dust, 

And \ enerable bosom bleeding bare. 

He. however, allowed the boys in college to drill, and thus they were jjreparing for the 
conflict ahead. Stewart College, now the Southwestern Presbyterian University, had 
its campus in the city limits of Clarksville. The excitement which prevailed over the 
whole ( ountry was nowhere greater than in Clarksville, and the bo\s fully jjarticipated 
in it. The boys had to submit only for a short time, as the Governor had to make a 
second call. When this call was made James E. Bailey, then upon the Military Board 
of the State, at Nashville, came to Clarksville to raise a company, which was done in a 
few days; and on the 29th day of November, i86i, he organized a company of one 
hundred and twenty-one men, and was elected Captain. The spirit of the boys would 
not permit them to remain at home. No longer were groups of boys in the College, 
earnest in their studies, to be seen under the shade of the old oaks in the College cam- 
pus, engaged with their books; no longer they idle in gay conversation upon the steps 
of the College. The whole scene was changed. Books were thrown away, and the 
grounds became a Champ de Mars. The tram]) of the soldier, the commands of the 
officer (Prof. Wm. A. Forbe.s) were alone to be seen or heard upon the grounds or in 
the halls; and the same spirit animated all the boys not in college. No wonder, then, 
that they made such prompt response to the call. Col. Wm. A. Forbes, of the Four- 
teenth Tennessee, afterward killed at the second battle of Manassas, had prepared 
these boys for active service. Of thirty-two boys in the College Department of its last 
catalogue of 1859-60, twenty-nine entered the Confederate army, leaving but three who 
did not. Of this twenty-nine all were faithful. There were killed in battle, si.xteen ; 
died by disease, seven; total deaths, twenty-three; survivors, six. 

The above is written to show the material of which the gallant old Forty-Ninth 
Tennessee was made, this being the first company (A). The other companies were 
composed of material ecjually as good. On the 6th day of December, 1861, this com- 
pany left Clarksville on a steamboat for Fort Donelson, amidst the shouts of the citizens, 
the waving of the handkerchiefs of the ladies, and the firing of guns from the fort at 
Red River, and arrived at Fort Donelson that night. Thus commenced the organiza- 
tion of the Forty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment. 

In December, 1861, it was organized by the -election of James E. Bailey, Colonel; 
.\lfred Robb, Lieutenant-Colonel; and D. A. Lynn, Major. R. E. Douglass was 
appointed Adjutant, and Dr. W. B. Williams, Surgeon. The regiment was composed 
of the following companies; \, Captain James E. Bailey, of Montgomery county; 



I 1 2 



I!, Captain '1'. K. (Irigsliy. of I )i( kson ( uunt\ ; C. Captain M. \'. F\kc. of Rol)frt>on 
lounty: I>, Captain J. li Cording, of Diikson rmmt\ : R, Captain J. M. Pea( Iilt, of 
Montgomery county; K, Captain I). A. Lynn, of Montgomery county; (i. Captain 
Will. F. \'omig. of Montgomery (■oiint> ; H. Ca|>tain Pugh Haynes, of Montgomery 
county; 1. Captain T. .\. Napier, of lienton county; K. Captain VVni. .Shaw, of Cheat- 
ham county. .\ Chapkiin was not appointed until after the re-organization in 1862, 
when tile Re\. Janic-. H. .McNeilh. now ]iastor of llic .Moore Memorial Church, Nasli- 
\ille, was a|jpoi;ited. No .soldier dischargetl his dut\ lietter than thi> ■■man of (Jod," 
who ministereil to the wounded on e\er\- field of battle, and in the immediate presence 
of the enem\. F. 1'. MrWhirter acted as .\djutant during the battle of Fort Donelson. 
¥.. v. Freeman was appointed First Lieutenant and .\djutant at Clinton. Miss., and 
won the admiration of the whole command b\ his gallant (onduct on e\ ery field, .\fter 
there-organization in 1.S62, Dr. I.. L. Lindsev was a|)]ioiiited Surgeon, and Dr. R. S. 
Xapier .Assistant Surgeon. .\fter its organi/.ation the regiment remained at Fort Donel- 
son. drilling, building fortifications. et(., until the battle of Fort Donelson. except that 
two companies were sent to Fort Henry, but ortlered bai k bet'ore the attack on Fort 
Henry. W'lien the enem\ were moving on Fort Donelson a ])art of the regiment 
(volunteers) were sent out as i avalr\ under the command of Col. N. Brandon, of the 
Fourteenth Tennessee, w ho was at home on leave of absent e. and had a skirmish with 
them, when tliex were worsted with a loss of six or eight wountietl and ten or twehe 
ca])tured. 

During the battle of h'ort Donelson the regiment was in the fort supporting the 
water batteries, under the ( omniand of the gallant Captains Reuben Ross. Thomas H. 
Beaumont, and 1!. (1. Bidwell. until Saturday evening. Februarv 15. 1X62. when the 
Federals captured our works on the right, and were rapidly advancing ujjon the fort. 
Col. Baile\ . then conimanding the fort, promptly ordered the F'orty-Ninth and Fiftieth 
I'ennessee Regiments to attack the enemy, whic h was gallantly done, and the enemy 
dri\eii back to the works. In this attack Lieiiten;iilt-Coloiiel -\lfred Robb. of the 
F'ortv-Xinth Tennessee. w;is mortally wounded b\- the side of C'ol. Bailey, his okl law 
])artner. No bra\ er or better solilier or man ever died. He went into the battle u|)on 
a large white horse, and being himself a very large man, was a fine target for the sharp- 
shooters. He was shot through the breast b\- one of these, and when shot |)ut his hand 
■in his breast, and sa\ing he was shot started to the rear. Several men followed him. 
and he would have fallen from hi-, horse in fift\- \ards biu for their assistance. I'he 
men managed to get him to hi> quarters. During the night he was carried to the boats 
at Do\er to be sent to Clarks\ille with the other wounded. Two boats were at the 
wharf, one fastened to the bank and the other on the side of this boat. He was placed 
on the first boat to be carried through to the second; in crossing from the one to the 
other the biiats separated — the men holding his legs let loose and his body fell into the 
river, and he would ha\e been drowned had it not been for his faithful old colored ser- 
vant (Cncle .\bram Robb) who, holding his arms, ])ulled him into the boat. He died 
at his home Februar\ 1 71I1. i,S62. Cncle .\bram still lives, respected by both white 



"3 

and l)lai;k. We were surrendered witli the army on February i6, and sent to prison — the 
field officers to Fort Warren, the other officers to Johnson's Island, and the privates to 
Camp Douglas, Chicago, 111. The privates were exchanged September 17, 1862, at Vicks- 
burg. Miss., where they met their officers, who had been exchanged in Virginia. The 
regiment was re-organized at Clinton, Miss, September 29, 1862, when Col. James E. 
Bailey was again elected Colonel. In about ten days we were ordered to Corinth. 
Miss., to re-enforce Gen. Van Dorn, then about to attack the enemy at Corinth; but 
only reached Holly Springs, and were there hailed, as our army had been defeated and 
were retreating. From Holly Springs the regiment was ordered to Port Hud.son, I,a.. 
and arrived there in October, 1862. It sustained the severe bombardment of March 
14. 1863, when Commodore Farragut succeeded in passing our batteries with two gun- 
lioats. Soon after this Col. Bailey, who had been sick for several months, resigned, 
and in .\ugust, 1864, was appointed one of the judges of the military court attached to 
Hardee's corps. We were ordered from Fort Hudson A\)t\\ 6, 1863, and marched to 
Jackson, Miss., by way of Brookhaven. At that point we made a detour to the 
Southern railroad, Jackson then having been captured by Gen. Grant. We were with 
the first infantry command which entered Jackson after Grant left the place and be- 
sieged Vicksburg. We were placed in Loring's division, and served through the Mis- 
sissippi campaign with Johnston's army, taking part in the engagements around Jackson 
from July 10 to 16, 1863. After the retreat from Jackson we were ordered to Mobile, 
Ala .arriving there September i, 1863. Here Capt. W. F. Young was promoted to the 
( onimand of the regiment. From Mobile we were ordered to the Army of Tennessee, 
and arrived at Missionary Ridge November 24, 1863 ; and though ordered into battle 
it was too late, as our army had then been defeated. Retreated with the army to I)al- 
tnn, and were placed in Gen. John C. Breckenridge's division. On January 14, 1864, 
we were ordered to Mobile, arriving there January 21. Were then sent to Gen. Polk's 
army in Mississijipi to meet Gen. .Sherman's advance througli that State, joining the 
army at Brandon, and placed in Gen. French's division. We retreated with Gen. 
i'olk's army to near Meridian, Miss., where we were again ordered to Mobile. From 
-Mobile we were ordered to the .'\rmy of Tennessee, reaching it May 26, 1864, and 
taking part in the Georgia campaign under Johnston and Hood, lieing in the engage- 
ments of New Hope Church, May 28, 1864; Pine Mountain, June 15; Kennesaw 
-Mountain. June 28; Smyrna Depot, July 4; Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, July 20; and 
l.ick-Skillet Road, .Atlanta, July 28. 

In the last battle the losses of the regiment were greater than in an\ other engage- 
ment during the war, unless it be that at Franklin. Col. W. F. Young lost an arm 
while gallantly leading a charge upon the enemy, and many good and brave men were 
killed and wounded. The colors of the regiment had thirty-two shots through it, and 
two or three through the flag-staff". In this battlt the Forty-Second and Forty-Ninth 
Tennessee Regiments were consolidated under the command of Col. Young, of the 
I'orty-Ninth, and being on the right of Quarles' brigade met and checked the advance 
iif the enemy ; and such was the havoc that in less than fifteen minutes almost every 



114 
(ifficer was killed or wounded, and C"a|)t. Thomas H. Smith, of the Forty-Ninth, sev- 
enth from seniority when the fight began, found himself in command. Notwithstanding 
the terrible onset, the troops main'ained their position without shelter under heavy fire 
for several hours, when they withdrew- in perfect order to a new line about one hundred 
yards in rear of their position. The writer, as Acting Assistant Adjutant-Cieneral of 
Quarles" Brigade, of which the Forty-Ninth was a |)art, made an official report to 
division headquarters on the following morning, a copv of which is now in his posses- 
sion, and shows: The effective strength of the brigade going into battle. 913 ; killed. 
76: wounded, 400; missing, 19; total. 495. 

It will be remembered that at this time the commands which had been raised in 
territory subsequently occupied by the enemy, and held in his possession from an earl\ 
period of the war, had been unable to recruit their ranks, and so had been reduced to 
mere skeletons, and a brigade was about eipial to an ordinary regiment. More than 
one-half of the men of the brigade were killed or wounded in this action. In connec- 
tion with this engagement it would be unjust not to mention the action of the gallant 
.Mississippi battery, commanded by the noble Yates, which supported the regiment and 
the rest of Quarles' Brigade. This battery was greatly impeded in its march to the field 
by the road being filled with troops, but by the energy of its gallant Captain was up in 
time for the charge. .\s soon as it reached the field it opened upon the enemy under 
a terrible fire of artillery and musketry, and in less than five minutes eighteen were 
killed or wounded. It suffered greatly afterward, and won not only the admiration of 
the regiment, but of Quarles and staff and all who .saw its action. From this time the 
regiment continued with Hood's army to the end of the Georgia campaign, and went 
with it to the campaign ending at the Alabama line. Crossed the Chattahoochee River 
at Pumpkin Town, and advanced to Big Shanty, taking part in the capture of that gar- 
rison, and also in the action at Acworth, and assisted in destroying ten or fifteen miles 
I if railroad. The command then marched to Resaca, and thence to Dalton, via Sugar 
X'alley Post-Office, and were engaged in the destruction of the railroad until the sur- 
render of Dalton, on October 13. It was with Gen. Hood during his march to Tus- 
cuni'bia, .A.Ia., and was upon the banks of the Tennessee one month after its departure 
from Pumpkin Town. 

.\fter crossing the Tennessee River, the regiment was with Gen. Hood during the 
Tennessee campaign, taking part in all the engagements of his army. It was in the 
battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864. The regiment went into battle under the 
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas M. .\tkins, who had been promoted from 
First Lieutenant to Captain of Coni])any A (Bailey's old company) and to Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the regiment at Big Shanty. He had the love and affection of the whole 
command, and the regiment did its duty nobly. Capt. R. T. Coulter, of Company G. 
was acting Adjutant, and was killed in the charge near the gin-house, where the bravest 
of the regiment fell. Capt. R. Y. Johnson, of Company F, who was severely wounded 
at Franklin, and saved the colors of the regiment, t'urnished me with a copy of the 
C/i<iftaih'ogi7 AM n{ Januar\- 15, 1X65, which gives a list of the killed, wounded and 



1 15 
missing. This paper says : •"Killed, twenty; wounded, thirty-six ; missing, thirty-six ; 
total, ninety-two. The regiment went into battle with one hundred and eight gun.s and 
tuenty-one officers. Seseral of those in the list of mis.sing are known to have been 
wounded." The men acted well — many of them were taken prisoners within the en- 
emy's breastworks, and "these had been gloriously led by their officers, many of 
uhom had fallen either upon or near the Federal breastworks, dying as the brave 
should i)refer to die. in the intense and e.xalted excitement of battle."" 

It then moved with Hood to Nashville, and took part in the engagement there. 
Dccemlier 16. 1864, and retreated with his army after its defeat, in Walthairs division. 
< )n the 20th of December, 1864, it came under the orders of Gen. Forrest, command- 
ing the rear-guard, and was engaged on the 24th in the battle south of I.ynnville, and 
the engagements at Anthony's Hill and Sugar Creek, .\nother has said: ■• Each Con- 
federate officer and soldier appeared to act and fight as if the fate of the army depended 
on his individual conduct. And never were there manifested higher soldiery virtues 
than by Forrest"s heroic band — including the infantry. . . . The men marched bare- 
footed in many cases, often waist-deep in ice-cold water, while sleet beat upon their 
heads and shoulders."" The same writer says of Sugar Creek : " The creek was about 
saddle-skirt deep, and through it the Federal cavalry dashed rearward without regard 
to any ford, and after them followed Walthall's dauntless men, charging waist-deep 
through the icy water." The regiment then retreated with Hood's army to Tupelo, 
Miss. , and remained thereuntil ordered to North ("arolina, to join Johnston"s army. 
Took part in the battle of Bentonville. on March 19, 1865. and was surrendered with 
the other remnants of that army. 

This ends my brief sketch of the Forty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment, a gallant, noble 
organization of true and loyal men, of whom, as a part of Quarles' Brigade, aftei; one 
of their bloody encounters, it was said by General Hood : " They belong to a brigade 
that has never lost a picket line, nor given back in the presence of the enemy." 
When I think of them as they stood in line at their first dress-parade on the bloody 
field of Doneison. my mind recurs to the poet from whom I must make a second quo- 
tation : 

Few, few shall part where many meet ! 

The snow shall be their winding-sheet. 

And every turf beneath their feet 
Shall be a soldier"s sejjulchre. 



CGI.. WILLIA.M F. VOlN(;. 



'I'his gallant officer entered the service as Captain of Company (j, Forty-Ninth 
Tennessee Regiment, at the beginning of the war. He was afterward promoted to the 



ii6 
command of the regiment, with the rank of Colonel. Concerning the merits of this 
officer, we have the following from the pen of Lieut. Polk G. Johnson ; 

This brave and gallant Confederate soldier lost an arm at Atlanta, in the battle of 
Lick .Skillet Road, July 28th, 1864, and had a minnie ball embedded in his large watch 
over his heart. His regiment suffered terribly. .\ ball passed through the flag-stafi' 
and thirty-two minnie balls through his flag, and over one-half were killed or wounded. 
While being carried from the field two men carrying him — Captain Dunlap, of Dickson 
county, and the other whose name I have forgotten — were killed. The writer buried 
Ca])tain Dunlap the next day, with Lieutenant Ashton Johnson, of Quarles' staff. .\ 
humble man, who parents came from Virginia, he was born in Bowding Green, Ky.. 
.March 26th, 1830, and moved to Montgomery county, Tenn., in 1832; and from his 
early youth he engaged in farming — plowing the fields with his own hands and gather- 
ing at the harvest-time. Thus his life was spent until called to the war in 1861. His 
good parents, of whom he is justly proud, taught him to believe in God and to discharge 
his duty always faithfully. He did not forget this teaching, and in all his relations to 
family, church, and State, he has been true. He was among the first to resiiond to his 
country's call in 1S61, and among the last to leave it after " its banner had been furled. " 
He took part with his regiment in the battle of Fort Donelson, shared their ])rison life. 
and w^as with them ever afterward, except when confined in the hospital from the loss 
of his right arm at Atlanta. He began his military career as a private soldier in Com- 
pany G, of the Forty-Ninth Tennessee; was elected Captain of his company at its 
organization, and ordered to Fort Donelson. Here this regiment was organized, with 
James E. Bailey, of Clarksville, as Colonel, and Alfred Robb, of Clarks\ille, a-. 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and the other necessary officers. The subject of our short sketch 
afterward was promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment, and has ever retained the 
confidence and respect of both officers and men of his command. After the war he 
continued his old occupation of farming, and added thereto school-teaching, being 
unable to do manual labor, which he followed until 1870, when he engaged in the 
business of auctioneering, and has followed it since. He is a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbvterian Church, and an honest and faithful Christian. 



FOURTEENTH TENNESSEE INFANTRY. 



.M CUl.I.OCH. 



The Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment w-as organized at Clarksville. 'I'enn.. in .May, 
1861, imder the first call of Governor Isham (!. Harris for troops to serve in the war 



117 

between the States. The regiment was composed of eleven companies, to-wit: Com- 
pany A, Clarksville, Tenn., W. A. Forbes, Captain; Company B, Montgomery county. 
M. G. CiKolson, Captain; Company C, Robertson county, Wash Lowe, Captain; Com- 
pany D, Stewart county, H. C. Buckner, Captain; Company E, Stewart county, N. 
Brandon, Captain; Company F, Stewart county, W. E. Lowe, Captain; Company G. 
Montgomery county, Isaac Brunson, Captain; Company H, Clarksville, Tenn., F. S. 
Beaumont, Captain; Company 1, Robertson county, W. P. Simmons, Captain; Com- 
pany K, Montgomery county, J. W. Lockert, Captain; Com|)any L, Montgomery 
county, E. Hewett, Captain. These eleven companies, representing in the aggregate 
over one thousand men, were brought together at Camp Duncan, in the vicinity of 
Clarksville, and the organization was completed by choosing the following field and 
staff officers : \\\ .\. Forbes, Colonel; M. G. Gholson, Lieutenant-Colonel; N. Brandon. 
Major; W. \V. Thompson, Adjutant; Dr. J, F. Johnson, Surgeon; Dr. John I\Lartin. 
Assistant-Surgeon; Major John Gorham, Quartermaster; Captain Frank (Ireen, Com- 
missary: R. J. Goostree, Assistant-Commissary; Dr. J. M. Pirtle, Chajjlain. The 
regiment, thus organized, remained at Camp Duncan aliout two weeks, when it mo\ed 
ten miles further out on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, where we remained 
several weeks, perfecting the command in company and battalion drill. At this point, 
known as Camp Quarles, the regiment received its arms and accouterments. The 
arms with which we were supplied were antiquated in pattern, having been changed 
from flint to percussion locks; but they were the only muskets to be had, and the men 
received them without complaint. 

About the middle of July, 1861, orders were received calling the regiment to Vir- 
ginia to join the forces under (Jen. Beauregard, then commanding our army on the 
plains of Manassas. We took the train for Nashville, and from Nashville on through 
East Tennessee, expecting .soon to be on the field and ready for the fray. Arriving at 
Haynesville, our orders were countermanded and we pitched our tents and waited. At 
this point the news that the first great battle of Manassas had been fought was pub- 
lished to the regiment. Here we were joined by Col. Maney's First Tennessee Regi- 
ment, which had been halted under orders similar to our own. From Haynesville we 
were ordered to the department of Northwestern Virginia, then commanded by Gen. 
R. E. Lee. The Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment was now brigaded with Col. Maney's 
First Tennessee and Col. Hatton's Seventh Tennessee Regiments; the brigade being 
commanded by Brigadier-General S. R. Anderson. 

Arriving at Millboro, West Virginia, our line of march was directed aiTOss the 
mountains to Big Springs, where we arrived about the middle of August, weary and 
foot-sore from the long and tedious march. After remaiiiing in camp at this point about 
four weeks, the regiment, with fTve day's rations in haversacks, was ordered out on the 
famous Cheat Mountain expedition. Of this expe'dition much has been said and writ 
ten, but no tongue or pen has yet, or ever can, set forth in their frt/i- colorings the 
])rivations, hardshi])s, and sufferings endured by the troops on this memorable marc h 
over the trackless mountains. The Fourteenth Tennessee, in ronii)anv with the other 



regiments of the brigade, reached the position to which it had been ordered, and on 
the top of Cheat Mountain received its first baptism of fire. From Cheat Mountain, 
having accomplished but httle in the expedition, we were ordered to retrace our steps, 
and after another weary march of three days over the rugged mountain-slopes, we 
found ourselves in our old quarters. We remained in Northwestern Virginia until the 
latter part of 1861, when, in December, we were ordered to the Shenandoah Valley, 
and were placed under the command of Major-Ceneral Thomas J. Jackson. At this 
jjoint it is proper to note the following changes in the field and staff of the regiment. 
Lieutenant-Colonel M. Ci. Gholson having resigned his commission. Major N. Brandon 
was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain (1. A. Harrell, of Com])any A, was 
promoted to Major. Lieutenant William McComb was promoted to Adjutant. Major 
Corham having resigned the position of (,)uartermaster, Captain .\. J. .AUensworth was 
made Quartermaster instead. Dr. Johnson having resigned the position of Surgeon. 
Dr. Daniel V. Wright was appointed Surgeon of the regiment. 

During the winter of 1S61-62 the Fourteenth Tennessee took ]^art in the cam- 
])aigns of (len. Jackson, around Win( hestcr. Romney. and F)ath. which camimigns 
resulted in the expulsion of the enemy from this portion of the State. The regiment 
was present at the bombardment of Hancock, Md., and was for several hours e.xposed 
to a heavv artillery fire, during which Col. Forbes constructed a bridge across the 
Potomac River for the passage of the trooi)s. The bridge, however, was not used, as 
the enemy evacuated the town and were in full retreat before its completion. The 
campaign in the vallev being over, we were ordered to the defenses on the Potomac 
River below Washington City, and for the time were placed in the division of Major- 
(ieneral French. Here (Col. Maney's regiment having been ordered to Tennessee) 
Col. Turney's F"irst Tennessee Regiment took its place in the brigade. We remained 
on the Potomac but a little while, orders being received which removed us to the Pen- 
insula, where we joined the forces under tlen. Joseph E. Johnston at Vorktown, and 
were assigned to the di\ ision of Majar-( General Custavus W. Smith. 

At this point the regiment was re-organized, the field officers being ; \\ . .\. Forbes, 
Colonel; ('•. A. Harrel. Lieutenant-Colonel; \\'m. McComb, Major: and R. C. Bell, 
.\djutant. On the retreat of the army from Vorktown, the regiment was engaged in 
the liattie of West Point, where Hood's Texas brigaile and our own drove back a heavy 
force of the enemy, who. under cover of their gun-boats, had landed and attempted to 
cut our retreating column in two. In this engagement, insignificant as it appears in 
the light of subsequent e\ents, the regiment lost several valuable officers and men, 
among the number ('apt. J. J. Crusman. of Co. H, who was se\ erely wounded and 
permanently disabled. 

Shortly after reaching tlie defenses around Richmond our brigade commander. (Jen. 
.\nderson, resigned his commission, and Col. Robert Hatton was promoted to Brig- 
adier-General, and assigned to the command of the brigade. On the 31st of May, 1862, 
the Fourteenth Tennessee was an active participant in the battle of Seven Pines, fii^ht- 
ing with great gallantry, and losing many of its best and bravest men on this stubbornly 



119 

contested field. In this battle Dr. John Martin, Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, was 
killed while faithfully discharging his duties, caring for the wounded of the regiment. 
Here, too. our hraxe commander, (len. Hatton, lost his life while gallantly leading his 
brigade against the enemy. After the fall of Gen. Hatton, Brigadier-tieneral J. J. 
Archer was assigned to the command of the brigade, and from this time to the close of 
the war the Tennessee Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia was known as 
.Archer's Brigade. After the battle of Seven Pines we were assigned to the division of 
Major-Cieneral A. P. Hill. 

The seven days' fight around Richmond folU)wed in close succession on the heels 
of Seven Pines. On the 26th day of June, 1862, the army imder command of Gen. 
R. K. Lee moved out of camp, crossed the Chickahominy River, and attacked the 
enemy under (leu. McClelland. The Fourteenth Tennessee participated in these san- 
guinary conflicts, leaving its dead and wounded heroes on the fields of Chickahominy, 
Cold Harbiir, (laines' Mdl, Malvern Hill, and Fra/.ier's Farm. In all of these conflicts 
the regiment bore itself gallantly, moving with unflinching nerve and steadiness wher- 
ever duty called it. On these hotly contested fields the Fourteenth lost heavily in 
killed and wounded, while charging the almost impregnable works of the enemy. 
Having driven the enemy from the Peninsula, the attention of our army was soon 
directed to another ipiarter. Again breaking camj), we took up our line of march, and 
under command of Lieutenant-General' Thomas J. Jackson, to whose corps we had 
been assigned, took part in the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, where the 
Fourteenth again suffered severely in killed and wounded, owing to the greatly exposed 
position the regiment held in the line. In this battle Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. Harrell 
was mortally wounded. From Cedar Mountain the Fourteenth moved with Jackson's 
corps to the rear of Pope's army on the plains of Manassas, and on the 30th and 31st 
of August, 1862, was hotly engaged in what is known as the second battle of Manassas, 
the regiment holding its position in the line for twenty-six consecutive hours, and re- 
pulsing with great slaughter the repeated charges of the enemy. In this battle the 
regiment again lost heavily. Here Col. \\'. A. Forl)es, while bravely leading the regi- 
ment in a charge against the enem\'s batteries, was killed. Maj. Morris was also 
mortally wounded in this battle. (\Vhen Lieutenant-Colonel Harrell ciied. Major 
McComb was advanced to the position of Lieutenant-Colonel, and Capt. Morris to the 
[josition of Major. ) ' Lieutenant-Colonel McComb now became Colonel. Capt. J. \V. 
Lockert, who had fieen promoted to Major, was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
Capt. J. H. Johnson was advanced to the position of Major. 

.\fter the battle of Manassas came the battle of Chantilly, on the first day of Sep- 
tember, 1862. During this ^ ear the soldiers in the Army of Northern Virginia had but 
bttle rest. The regiment was sopn on the move again, and on the 15th of September 
took part in the fight at Hari)er"s Ferry, which resiilted in the capitulation of that jjost 
with its force of about twelve thousand men, and an immense quantity of valuable 
stores. The fight at Harper's Ferry was scarcely ended before the thunder of Gen. 
Lee's artillerv at .\ntietam, Md., called our div'ision to his assistance. Moving out at 



early dawn on the 17th of September, the Fourteenth, with other troops of the division, 
commanded by A. P. Hill, made a forced march of twenty miles, forded the Potomac 
River, holding aloft muskets and cartridge-boxes to keep them dry, crossed into Mary- 
land, and arrived on the field of Antietam in time to meet the enemy and drive it 
from the right flank of our army, thus saving the day, which, but for the timely arrival 
of Hill's division, wouki ha\e been lost. In this engagement C"ol. Wm. McComb was 
severely wounded while bravely leading the regiment in the charge. The day follow- 
ing the battle of Antietam we remained in position, holding the ground from which the 
enemy had been driven. On the 19th of September the army slow'ly retired across the 
Potomac. Arriving on the Virginia side, the regiment had not settled in camp before 
it was again ordered out, and took part in the battle of Shepherdstown (the enemy 
having followed us across the river). In this battle the regiment, as in other engage- 
ments, acted with conspicuous gallantry, driving everything before it. The enemy 
were routed, driven into the river, and to their list of killed was added the names of 
numbers drowned. After the battles of Antietam and Shepherdstown, the enemy 
changed his base of operations, appearing in force on the Rappahannock River, oppo- 
site Fredericksburj;, \'a. The Arm\' of Northern \'irginia was still in his front, occu- 
pying the heights in the rear of the town. In this jjosition we remained comparatively 
(|uiet until the 13th of December, when the enemy, under Cien. Burnside, moved 
across the ri\ er and attacked our forces. In this liattle (Fredericksburg) the Tennessee 
Brigade, commanded by Col. P. Turney, held the extreme right of the infantr\- line 
The enemv ad\anced. in three lines of liattle. across an open field some half mile in 
width, with lines a>. evenly dressed and step as regular as though on dress-parade. 
Lieutenant-Colonel I.ockert. who commanded the regiment in this action, ordered his 
men to hold their fire until the word was given. In breathless silence we waited until 
the front line of the enemy reached a point not fifty yards distant from our battle-line, 
when, the command being given, the work of death began. Line after line was hurled 
against the Tennessee Brigade, only to be hurled back again, broken, disorganized and 
routed. In this action the loss of the Fourteenth Tennessee, though severe, was small 
when compared with the terrible punishment inflicted upon the enemy. Col. Lockert, 
always brave, on this occasion won the admiration of the entire command by his gal- 
lantr\ in the fight. Cul. Pete Turnev. commanding the brigade, was severely wounded 
earh' in the fight. It is ijroper here to state that, in his advance, the enemy effected a 
breach in the line to the left of the Tennessee Brigade, taking the F'ourteenth Tennes- 
see in rear, causing for a time some confusion, and resulting in the capture of some 
of our men. The enemw howe\er. was tlriven back with great slaughter, and the 
breach speedily closed. 

\\ ith the battle of Fredericksburg the active work of the army closed for the Win- 
ter. In the Spring of 1S63. the Fourteenth Tennessee again found itself confronting 
the eneni\- on the field o( Chancellors\ille. ( )n the 1st day of May. 1863. it moved 
with Jackson's corps around the flank of Hooker's army, and took an active |)art in 
the battles of the 2d and 3d of May. fighting gallantly and losing heavily in killed and 



121 

\\ ouiuied. In this battle, Colonel McComb was again severely wounded while ( barg- 
ing the enemy's second line, after capturing a battery of artillery and a number of 
prisoners. When the regiment was withdrawn from the lines in front of Chancellors- 
\ ille to participate in this movement, two of its companies — to-wit, Company H, com- 
manded by Capt. W. S. Moore, and Company L, commanded by Capt. A. Collins 
and l.icut. I'homas Herndon — were left on the skirmish line in front of the enemi,'s 
works. These two companies remained in this position, skirmishing with the enemj-, 
until 4 o'cock p. m.. when they were relieved by other troops, and ordered to rejoin 
their regiment — now several hours in advance of them — with all possible haste. In 
executing this order these companies were much retarded, the road being blocked with 
artiller\- and wagons, and there being much confusion in the trains, as the enemy was 
pressing and threatening their capture. They moved forward, however, with great 
clifticulty, and after marching several miles, were requested by some officers of artillery 
(who had liastily inilimbered their guns) to halt and support their batteries, and assist 
in driving hack the enemy. {A regiment of (Georgia troops which had accompanied 
the trains tor their ])rotection, had been com])letely routed by the enemy, and were 
t1\ing in dismay and confusion.) The two companies quickly formed their lines on the 
left of tlie batteries, and after a stubborn fight of nearly an hour's duration, succeeded 
in driving back the enemy, thus saving the entire train of wagons and artillery which 
otherwise must have fallen into the hands of the enemy. The train having been res- 
( ued from danger, the companies resumed their march and joined the regiment in 
bivouac at 12 o'clock that night, being just in time to move with the regiment to its 
jjosition in the line, and to participate in the general engagement which took place on 
the morning following. In this great flank movement our corps commander, Lieut. - 
(icn. Thomas J. Jackson, lost his life while reconnoitering in front of his lines. This 
sad e\ent cast a shadow of gloom over the entire army. Our division commander, 
(ien. .\. P. Hill, was also severely wounded in this action, the division being com- 
manded through the remainder of the flght by (ien. Wilcox. .'Vfter the death of jack- 
son, den. .\. P. Hill was advanced to the position of Lieutenant-Ceneral commanding 
the cor]is, Major-Cieneral Heth taking command of our division. 

This brings us to the famous CJettysburg campaign. In the latter part of June, 
1863, the .\rmy of Northern Virginia again took up its line of march, and crossed the 
Potomac River, passing through the State of Maryland into Pennsylvania. On the 
I St of July, while resting at Cashtown, orders were received directing the Tennessee 
Brigade to move into Gettysburg and occupy the town. When almost within sight of 
the town we suddenly struck the enemy's pickets, and the Fourteenth Tennessee, with 
the other regiments of the brigade, soon became hotly engaged with Reynold's corps. 
The remainder of the division, hearing the heavy firing, cairie rapidly to the front and 
moved into action, and after a stubborn and blood]? fight the enemy was driven through 
and a mile beyond the town. In this the hrst day's battle at Cettysburg the Fotu-teenth 
suffered considerable loss in killed and wcnmded. At one time the regiment was almost 
eiitirch' surroinuled bv the enemv, and some of our best men were caiitured. Twice 



during this engagement the colors of the regiment were shot down, but they were raised 
as often and waved triumphantly in the face of the foe. In this action Brigadier- 
General Archer was captured, and Capt. G. A. Williams of his staff severely wounded. 
On the 3d of July the division of Major-General Heth, of which the Fourteenth Ten 
nessee was a part, was selected to make the ever-memorable charge against the enemy s 
works on Cemetery Hill. The regiment moved to the position assigned it in the line, 
lying flat upon the ground during the terrific artillery duel which preceded the charge. 
The earth quaked and trembled under the thunder of four hundred guns, and the air 
seemed filled with hissing and screaming shells and other missiles of destruction. This 
duel lasted about two hours, when the firing ceased, the command was given, and the 
regiment moved forward with the other troops to the charge. A terrific fire of grape. 
canister, and shell was opened by the enemy on the assaulting column, but heedless 
of the carnage about it, this gallant old regiment moved steadily forward up the slope 
of Cemetery Hill, and carried its colors triumphantly into the works of the enemy, 
under a murderous fire of musketry which had also been opened upon it. The occu- 
pation of the enemy's works was of short duration, however; the Tennessee Brigade, 
which was the only one that reached the works, being driven out by an overwhelming 
force, after fighting stubbornly to hold the position from which the enemy had been 
driven. 

On the retreat of the army from Gettysburg, the Fourteenth Tennessee was one 
of the regiments composing the rear-guard, and was hotly engaged in the battle of 
Falling Waters, Md. , where the enemy's cavalry, with reckless bravery, charged down 
on Heth's division, and were slaughtered almost to a man. With the close of the 
Gettysburg campaign the active work of the Army of Northern Virginia also closed, 
little being done during the remainder of 1863, except in the way of maneuvers. The 
regiment, however, was engaged in the action at Bristoe Station on the 14th of Sep- 
tember of this year — an unfortunate affair, in which the Confederate troops suffered 
severely. The next field on which the Fourteenth Tennessee found itself confronting 
the enemy was the Wilderness, on May 5th to 7th, 1864. Here this gallant band stood 
in line of battle, without rest, for eighteen hours, beating back the forces of the enem> 
successively hurled against it. From the Wilderness it moved with the army to Spott- 
sylvania and took part in the great battle fought on that field on the 12th of May, 1864. 
From Spottsylvania it moved again to the field of Cold Harbor, on the ist of June 
following : from thence to the defense of Richmond and Petersburg, taking part in the 
many battles fought from time to time on that line. Here Colonel William McComb. 
for gallant and meritorious conduct on the field, was promoted to Brigadier-General, 
and placed in command of the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Lockert was made 
Colonel of the regiment. 

'I'he Fourteenth was actively engaged in the last battle fought on this line, on the 
2d day of April, 1865, retreating with General Lee to Appomattox Court House, where, 
on the gth day of .\pril, 1865, its last battle having been fought, and its duty nobly 
done, the remnant of this trrnnd old regiment laid down their arms. In thirtv-three 



123 

pitihcd battles, and double as many skirmishes with the enemy, the Fourteenth testified 
its devotion to the cause it served by deeds of valor, and the blood of its slain. Its 
heroic dead lie buried on all the great battle-fields of Virginia, Maryland, and Penn- 
syivania, mourned liy the remnant of their comrades who survived the conflict. 



-J^0i— 



FIFTIETH TENNESSEE INFANTRY. 



BY CHAS. W. TYLER. 

In the early Fall of 1861 a few companies of infantry under command of Colonel 
Randall W. McGavock, of Nashville, were stationed at Fort Donelson, on the Cum- 
berland River, about thirty miles below Clarksville. This command was known as 
\[( (lavock's battalion, and was the nucleus of the Fiftieth Tennessee Regiment, which 
afterwards became the garrison regiment at Donelson. Lieut. J. H. Holmes was the 
Adjutant of this liattalion; Clay Roberts, Quartermaster; Thomas Shameral, Commis- 
sary; and Lieut, (leorge W. Pease, a gallant young Pennsylvanian, who had left home 
and come South just previous to the breaking out of the war, was acting by appoint- 
ment of Ciovernor Harris as Drill-Master of the raw troops. Although he was a stranger 
and from the North, this young man soon became very popular with all the soldiers. 
He served with the regiment during the entire war, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel. For the brave stand which he took in behalf of the South, his father disin 
herited him; and after the war, his family, except one sister, refused to see him or to 
allow him to visit them. He died in Memphis, in 1874 or 1875. 

On the night of November 19th, 1861, at 10 o'clock, the company to which I 
l)elonged (afterward Company E of the Fiftieth) left Clarksville for Fort DoneLson to 
join McGavock's battalion. At 2 o'clock the next morning we reached the landing at 
Donelson, and climbed the muddy hill to the fort, prepared to play our part in the 
great drama. From time to time other companies were added to ours, and at length 
on Chri.stmas day, 1861, we organized as a regiment by the election of field officers. 
The new regiment was called the Fiftieth Tennessee, and the companies were com- 
manded as follows : Company A, Capt. T. VV. Beaumont, Montgomery county ; Com- 
pany B, Capt. George W. Stacker, Stewart county; Company C (an Alabama com- 
|iany), Capt. Jackson; Company'D, Capt. Sam (iraham, Stewart county; Company E, 
(apt. C. .\. Sugg, Montgomery county; Company F, Capt. A. Richards, Stewart 
(ounty; Company G, Capt. Gould, Cheatham county; Company H, Capt. H. C. 
I.ockert, Stewart county ; Company I, Capt. Wm. Martin, Stewart county; Company 
K, ('a])t. A. Wilson, Humphreys county. Capt. (Jeorge \V. Stacker, of ("oni|)any I!. 



124 

;i man of considerable wealth, who had uniformed his whole compan)' and otherwise 
greatly aided the Stewart (dunty xolunteers, was elected foloncl of the regiment. 
Capt. Cyrus A. Sugg, of Company K. was elected Lieutenant-Colonel; and Capt. H. 
C. I.ockert, of Company H, Major. Lieut. C. N\". Robertson, of Company .\, was 
ajipointed Adjutant; Billy Morris, of Company 1), Sergeant-Major ; Robert L. Cobb. 
Ordnance Sergeant; Clay Roberts. (Quartermaster; Jo. Newberry, Commissary; Dr. 
(lould. Surgeon; and T)r. \\'. H. Mills, .Assistant Surgeon. To fill the \acancies created 
!>}■ the election of regimental officers, Lieut. A. .\llnian was ele<ted Captain of Com- 
pany B; Lieut. John B. Dortch, Captain of Company E; and Lieut. H. Sexton, Captain 
of Company H. Colonel Stacker resigned just one month after his election, and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Sugg was then promoted to full Colonel, Lockert to Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and Adjutant C. U'. Robertson was elected Major. Lieut. T. E. Mallory. 
of Company E, was appointed Adjutant in Robertson's stead. 

We had built log-huts and gone into Winter quarters inside the fort, and were 
([uite comfortable. Our friends in Clarksville sent us good things by nearly cver\- 
boat ; and some of the companies of the regiment were raised in the immediate vicinit\ 
of the fort, and their friends and relatives visited them frequently. On January 19th. 
1862, we marched to Fort Henry, twelve miles across the country, on the Tennessee 
River. We returned in about ten days, and on February 6th were ordered back, but 
learned of the surrender of the fort and of oiu- brigade commander. General Tilghman. 
before we reached it. On the 1 ith Forrest's battalion of cavalry had a l'iL;ht near Fort 
Donelson, killing two or three Federals and capturing one. This man when brought 
in was a show. He was the first man in blue uniform we had ever seen, but the sight 
of them soon became common enough. 

During the battle of Fort Donelson. which took jilace P"ebruar_\- 14th and 15th. 
icS62, the regiment remained most of the time in the fort. Capt. Beaiunont's company 
{A) was detailed to man the heavy guns at the river, and had a terrific artillery duel 
with the enemy's gun-boats, finally driving them back and foiling them in their efforts 
10 pass tlie fort. Lieut. W. C. .Mien, of Capt. Beaumont's company, was comjili- 
mented in an official report for his gallantry on that occasion. On the evening of the 
1 2th four companies — B, C, D and E — were sent out to re-enforce Col. Roger Han- 
son's Second Kentucky Regiment, which had been literally cut to pieces. The Forty- 
Ninth Tennessee was with us, and l,ieutenant-Colonel Alfred Robb of that regiment 
was killed on the occasion. 'J'hat night about 12 o'clock we evacuated the fort and 
marched u]! to Dover, two miles. There we stood shivering in the cold for hours, 
while the three Crenerals — Kiu'kner, Floyd and Pillow — held a council of war in the 
old hotel on the river l)ank. The enemy's camp-fires blazed brightly all around us. and 
looked cheerful enough as we stamped our feet in the snow, ^^■e exi^ected orders lo 
cut our wav through them, but instead were ordered back to the fort, and reached"' 
just before daylight. In a short while a courier came from Oen. Buckner to Col. 
Sugg with an order to raise a white flag over the fort. Curses both loud and deej) fol- 
lowed this intelligence. There was no white flag in the regiment, nobody exiiecting 



125 

need one, hut Ordnance Sergeant k. L. Cobb had a white sheet, which was run u]j at 
daylight. Nearly half the regiment escaped from the fort. All the field officers, and 
about five hundred and fifty others, men and officers, remained and were surrendered. 
The regimental officers were sent to Fort Warren, the company officers to Johnson's 
Island, and the non-commissioned officers and privates to Camp Douglas, Chicago. 
All that summer they remained in prison. On September i8, 1862, the regiment was 
exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss., and officers and men once more met on the soil of the 
Confederacy. 

On the 20th, at Jackson, Miss., the regiment was re-organized. The company 
officers were as follows: Co. A, Capt. W. C. .Allen, Montgomery county; Co. B, Capt. 
George \V. Pease, Pennsylvania; Co. C, Capt. Jackson, Alabama; Co. I), Capt. Sam 
Craham, Stewart county ; Co. E, Capt. T. E. Mallory, Montgomery county ; Co. F, 
Capt. James Dunn, Stewart county; Co. G, Capt. Tom Mays, Cheatham county; Co. 
H, Capt. E. Sexton, Stewart county; Co. I, Capt. Sam Allen, Stewart county; Co. K, 
Capt. Curtis, Humphreys county. On the 24th an election was held for regimental 
officers. Col. Sugg and Major Robertson were both re-elected. Cai;t. T. W. Beau- 
mont was elected Lieutenant-Colonel ; Lieut. Williams, of Co. H, was appointed 
-Vdjutant ; J. li. Sugg, Quartermaster; John L. W. Power, Commissary; W. Turner, 
.Sergeant-Major ; Cave Morris, Ordnance Sergeant ; and Dr. R. D. McCauley, Surgeon. 

October 8th the regiment was sent by rail to Corinth to re-enforce Gen. Van Dorn ; 
found that officer retreating, and fell back with him to Grenada, having several severe 
skirmishes with the enemy. On December 24th Jefferson Davis and Gen. Joseph 
Johnston reviewed the troops, and the ne.xt day they were ordered to Vicksburg. 
Fought the enemy under General Sherman on the 28th, and drove them back to their 
gun-l.)oats. In November, 1862, a month previous, the regiment had been temjjorarily 
consolidated with the First Tennessee Battalion, of which S. H. Combs, of Sjjarta, was 
Major, and John W. Childress, now of Nashville, was .Adjutant. Dr. R. T. Rothrock, 
now of Nashville, was Surgeon of the consolidated regiment and battalion. On [anu- 
ary 5. 1863, the men were, ordered to l\)rt Hudson, Louisiana, and remained there 
four months. When the Federal gun-boat " Indianola" ran by the batteries at Vicks- 
burg and showed herself above Port Hudson, Colonel Beaumont offered to take the 
Fiftieth and either capture or destroy her, but the offer was refused. On the night of 
.March 14th occurred a most terrific bombardment that shook the earth and illuminated 
the heavens. No grander or more awful spectacle could will be imagined. 

(;n May 2d the regiment left Port Hudson and marched on foot to Jackson, Miss. 
<_)n May 12th, at Raymond, Miss., occurred a warm engagement with the Federals, in 
which the Fiftieth took an active ]>art. During most of the engagement it was detached 
from the rest of the brigade, and for five hours held the enemy in check. Colonel 
Sugg commanded the brigade during this action, "Tind Lieutenant-Colonel Tom lieau- 
niont was in command of the regiment. During the engagement he was wounded in 
the head and knocked down. Two men stepped from the ranks to carry him back, 
npposing him dead, but he sjjrung to his feet, and, ordering them into line, resumed 



126 

lommand of his regiment. At Jackson, some days after, Major Robertson, of the 
Fiftieth, commanded the skirmish line and made a gallant stand against a large force 
of Federals, for which he was complimented in an official order by General Joseph E. 
Johnston. The regiment remained in Mississippi until September, 1863, when it was 
.sent to (leorgia to re-enforce General Bragg. On the way the train on which the 
Fiftieth was carried came into collision with another at Big Shanty, Georgia, and thir- 
teen men were killed and seventy-five wounded. Captain T. E. Mallory, of Company 
K. was among the dangerously wounded, but afterward recovered. 

Sejnember i8th the regiment reached Bragg's army, on the eve of the battle of 
Chickamauga, and next morning went into the fight. It was nearly annihilated. A 
letter now before me, written by Colonel Sugg, October 10, 1863, says: "We were in 
it three hours ; one hundred and eighty-si.x men went into the fight, fifty-four only came 
out. Colonel Beaumont and Major Robertson killed. Major Combs severely wounded. 
Captain Williams killed. Lieutenants Hays and Whitley killed. Lieutenant White will 
probably die. Captains Pease and Sexton wounded. Lieutenant Holmes Wilson severely 
wounded. Lieutenant Wheatly wounded, and a host of men, among them Sam and 
George Dunn; George Hornberger and John Crunk killed; Isbell missing; John Ben- 
ton, Billy Boiseau, George Warfield, Bob McReynolds, John Willoughby, Holt Frank 
lin and Robert J. Franklin, wounded." 

Colonel Sugg commanded the brigade in this action, and in an official report Gen- 
eral Hill, corps commander, gave liim the credit of capturing ten steel guns from the 
enemy. Beaumont tell early in the action, and Major Robertson took command of 
the regiment. He ordered his men to drag these cajitured guns to the summit of the 
ridge, and turning them on the now retreating foe, he put them to flight, .\gain on 
Tuesday morning, when the enemy was making an obstinate resistance in a dense 
thicket, another Confederate brigade, which had been ordered to dislodge them, re- 
fused to advance. The men of this brigade were then ordered to lie down, and Trigg's 
brigade, commanded by Colonel Sugg, with a yell charged over their friends and into 
the enemy's lines, and drove them from their position. Here Major Robertson fell 
mortally wounded, and Colonel Sugg was struck four times, though not seriously 
injured. 

The loss of the two brave officers, Colonel Beaumont and Major Robertson, was 
seriously felt by the regiment. These two heroes had gone out as officers in the same 
company. One was Captain and the other was First Lieutenant of Company A. They 
were fast friends in life, and in death they were not divided. No braver and nobler 
man ever offered up his life for any cause than Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas W. Beau- 
mont. He was one of four brothers who entered the Confederate service, three of 
whom were killed in liattle. He was born and reared in Clarksville, Tenn.; studied 
law. but hail atlopted journalism as a |jrotession, and at the time of the breaking out 
of the war was the editor of the Xtn/irM- Biiniur, the most prominent Whig paper in 
the State. He was a man of high intelligeni e and courage, and never faltered upon 
what lie thought to be the path of duty for fear of consequences. Major Christojjher 



/ 



/ 



127 

\V. Robertson was a native of Dickson county, Tenn., and had just graduated with 
high honors at the Lebanon law school when the call to arms came. To my mind he 
was the noblest Roman of them all; brave and tirni and self-reliant — proud without 
arrogance, pious without hypocrisy, intelligent without display; he was as modest and 
gentle as a woman, yet utterly fearless in danger. When he stepped to the front and 
gave the word of command, all obeyed him, for he was a born leader of men; and yet 
he was a brother to the humblest soldier in the ranks. In the twenty-third year of his 
age, in front of his regiment, and leading his men on to victory, he fell to rise no more. 

Green be the turf above tliee. 

Friend of my Letter days; 
None knew thee but to love thee. 

None named thee but to praise. 

A few weeks after the fight at Chickamauga came the battle of Missionary Ridge, 
November 25th, 1^163, and the regiment again suffered severely. Here Colonel Sugg 
was mortally wounded and taken from the field. Fletcher Beaumont, the Adjutant, 
and a younger brother of Colonel Beaumont, while leading a charge, was killed with 
the battle-flag in his hands. Lieut. Joel Ruffin, of Company E, was shot through both 
legs, and wounded a third time in the thigh. The regiment lost many others of its best 
men. Colonel Cyrus A. Sugg, who lost his life in this engagement, was a farmer 
before the war, living in District No. i, Montgomery county. He was twenty-nine 
years of age, remarkably intelligent, popular with all his neighbors, and beloved by all 
the men when he took command of '.he regiment. He was cool and collected in the 
hour of danger; generally went into battle smoking his pipe, and never suffered him- 
self to become e.xcited during an engagement. After he was wounded he was carried 
back to Marietta, Ga., where he lingered some two months, and died in December. 
1863. 

In these two battles — Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge — the regiment had lost 
all its field officers, many of its company officers, and more than half of its men. 'l"he 
Fiftieth Tennessee, the Fir§t Tennessee Battalion (commanded by Major S. H. Colms). 
and the Fourth Confederate Tennessee (commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel O. A. 
Bradshaw), was then consolidated. S. H. Colms was made Colonel; O. A. Bradshaw. 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and Captain George W. Pease, of the Fiftieth, was promoted to 
be Major of the new regiment. John W. Childress was Adjutant, and Dr. R. G. 
Rothrock, Surgeon; Poston Couts was Ordnance Sergeant. After the fall of Atlanta, 
Colonel Colms, on account of ill health, was assigned to post duty at Macon, Georgia, 
when Bradshaw was promoted to full Colonel, and Pease to Lieutenant-Colonel. 

During the hard Winter of 1863-64 the regiment was in winter quarters at Dalton, 
(ieorgia. In the early Spring of 1864 it fell back with the army under General Jose])h 
E. Johnston, before Sherman's overwhelming forc>e, and participated in all the battle^ 
from Dalton to Atlanta, along the line of that famous retreat, .'^t Resaca, Calhoun 
Station, .A.dairs.ville, Kingston, New Hope Church, Pumpkin-Vine Creek, Dead .\ngle, 
Peach-Tree Creek, in all the battles around .Atlanta, and at Jonesboro. with ( onstanth 



diminishing ranks, the old Fiftieth faced the enemy. Among others, at the terrible 
spot named by the soldiers " Dead Angle," fell young John B. Robertson, the only 
brother of Major C. W. Robertson. He was a mere boy, and had been with the regi- 
ment only a few days, having come South, as he said, to take his brother's place. He 
was acting as Sergeant-Major at the time of his death. Captain John L. W. Power was 
wounded on the 29th of June. James Easley, of Company E, a gallant soldier, and 
very popular, and many others whose names I cannot now give, were killed. There 
was no rest for the men day or night, and fighting and lying in the trenches had re- 
duced the regiment to a mere skeleton. 

When (leneral Hood took command of the arm\', and after the terrible fighting 
around Atlanta, issued a stirring address to his soldiers and turned their steijs north- 
ward, the hearts of the Tennesseans beat high with hoije. Nashville was to be re- 
captured, and the flag of the Confederacy to float once more over the loved ones at 
home. Hut it was not to be. At Franklin, and in sight of the Capitol at Nashville, 
blood flowed like water, and brave men fell by hundreds. All in vain I Once more 
the shattered remnant of the army took up its march southward, and on New Year's 
Day, 1865, the Fiftieth crossed the Tennessee line and stood on the soil of Alabama. 
The handwriting was now on the wall. 

After a few days' rest, the command was sent by rail to Smithfield, N. Cand 
here, in the last days of the Confederacy, the Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Nine- 
teenth, Fiftieth, Fifty-First and Fifty-Second Tennessee Regiments were all consolidated 
into one feeble regiment, which was called the Second Tennessee. Bradshaw remained 
the Colonel of this regiment, and Pease Lieutenant-Colonel ; Rothrock was Surgeon. 
The men of the Fiftieth and the First Tennessee Battalions, and the Fourth Confeder- 
ate Tennessee, which had been formerly consolidated, were all ]ilaced in one compau}-. 
This was made the color company of the regiment, and John W. Childress was Ca]jtain. 
There was a good deal of skirmishing after this and some heavy fighting, but no one 
had any heart in it. The most ignorant soldier in the army knew that the cause was 
lost, and ever\- life taken was felt to be a useless sacrifice. Still the men marched and 
countermarched, and stood to their colors, and did all they could to stay the advance 
of Sherman's \ictorious troo|js. Then came the news of Lee's surrender at Appomat- 
tox, and "last scene of all that ends this strange, eventful history," the army of old 
Joe Johnston laid down its arms and gave up the fight at Cireensboro, N. C. . A]iril 26. 
1865. 

Ragged and weary and heart-broken, when the men of the old Fiftieth fell into 
line for the last time, and stacked arms in the presence of the enemy on that dreary 
.\pril morning, only these were left to answer at roll-call: Company A, J. L. Martin. 
Poston Couts. .\. Black. W. J. Black, W. Trotter, R. R. Mills, J. J. Tourin ; Com- 
pany B, 1). R. McCauley, (_'. F^. McCauley, E. T. Hale: Comj)any C, eight men 
names unknown (this was the Alabama company); Company D, Matt Jones, .-Xlfred 
Downs, Thomas Cook, William Wallace, George Sanders; Company E, John L. W'. 
Power, H. \\'. Fjoiseau, J. H. W'illoughby: Compan}- F, James Somers, Se\ier: 



129 

Company G. VV. Thompson, Miles Yarl.rough, John Hale; Company H, Thomas 
Broadie, Henry Atkins, James Barnes; Company I, none; Company K, J. J. .M<- 
Cauley, Thomas Cowley, and Rufus Knight. The Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Major, Adjutant, and a host of other brave and true men, all dead— dead as the cause 
for which they had so long contended. 

'i^.' 

VVOODWARI)'.S CAVALRY. 



I!Y HON. AU.STIN PEAY. 



At Oak Grove, Christian county, Ky., on the 9th of April, 1861, a company of 
<avalry was organized, with Thomas G. Woodward, a West Point graduate, as Captain. 
, (^ak Grove is near the Tennessee line, and many Tennesseans, anxious to become 
I .soldiers, united their fortunes with this Kentucky company. The citizens around Oak 
Grove were ardent .Southerners, and gave liberally of their means to mount, arm and 
■ ciuip the ..ompany. Lieut. Darwin Bell and Orderly Wm. Blakemore were .sent'on a 
! secret mission to Cincinnati for arms, and succeeded in purchasing enough fine Colts 
I revolvers with which to arm the company. It was the intention for the company to 
I unite with the Kentucky State Guards, but the action of the State was so dilatory that 
i on the 25th of June, 1861, it was mustered into the Tennessee service as an independent 
(organization. , It numbered one hundred and eight men and officers, and no finer bodv 
jof men, or better equipped, ever sought or obtained service anywhere. It saw no 
(active servi<:e for some months, but was drilled in the camps of instruction at Boone 
I Cheatham, and Trousdale. When the army invaded Kentucky this company led the 
ivan-guard, and penetrated as- far as Hopkinsville, the home of many of its members 
'returning to Bowling Green in the early Winter. At Bowling (ireen the company 
jgrew to such proportions that it was divided into two companies, and then merged into 
Ithe First Kentucky Cavalry as Companies A and B; Capt. Darwin Bell commanding 
;C ompany A. and Capt. Wm. Caldwell, Company B. Woodward was promoted to 
ILieutenant-Colonel. Ben Hardin Helm, a noble gentleman and chivalrous soldier 
jwho gave his life for his country on the field of Chickamauga, was Colonel of the regi- 
jment. The regiment was twelve hundred strong. 

I Hard service, picketing, and scouting through the Winter of 1S61 and 186. char 

jictenzed the company's history, and a few skirmishes, in which the men bore them 
Mves well and gave promise of the valor which they'afterwards displayed upon manv 
b hard-fought field. When the army retreated from Kentucky, the regiment was it's 
■ear-guard, and with sickening heart followed its dreary march through the whole State 
].f Tennessee, until on<e again it formed its lines and confronted the enemy at .Shiloh 



Then it was stationed at Florence, Ala., and gave (General Johnston aicurate informa- 
tion of the advance of Buell's army, which precipitated the attack at Shiloh. After 
the battle — which, but for the untimely death of that great soldier, (leneral Jackson, 
would have been the most complete victory of the war — the command followed the 
varying fortunes of the army in Mississippi and Alabama until, in May of 1862, under 
General Adams, it was sent on a raid into Middle Tennessee. Here it was engaged 
in several hard fights. At Winchester, Tenn., Companies .\ and L, with a fool-hardy 
courage, under orders of Captain Cox, of Adams' staff, who was in command, charged 
the Court House, filled with Federal infantry, halted in its front, fired their guns and 
revolvers in its doors and windows in the faces of the astonished foe, and then retreated 
under a murderous fire, which left many of the best and bravest of their men dead and 
wounded. At Huey's Bridge the First Kentucky and some companies of the Eighth 
Texas charged a Federal regiment intrenched in camp, and killed and captured every 
man of them, but with fearful loss of life among its officers and men. The advance 
of the Federal infantry drove Adams' command from this portion of Tennessee across 
the river to Chattanooga. Here, on the 25th of June, 1862, the time of enlistment 
of Companies A and B expired, and they were mustered out of the service. Some 
of the men re-enlisted at once, and joined a command which Forrest was raising for a 
raid into Tennessee and Kentucky, but the greater number returned to their honle^. 
situated within the Federal lines, in the two States mentioned. 

Oh the 1 2th of July, just seven days after disbandment. Woodward had returned 
into Kentucky, and in Christian county began the organization of a new command. 
His old men almost to a man gathered around him, new recruits flocked to him from 
Kentucky and Tennessee, among whom, from Clarksville and vicinity, were Baker D. 
Johnson, Cons. O'Brien, Ed. Hyronemous, Clay Stacker, W. R. Bringhurst, George 
Dick, Jeff. Armsby, Ike Nix, Sy. Davidson, John Henderson, William Spurrier, Robert 
Gibbons, W. W. Valliant, F"rank Lurton, West Orgain, Buck Orgain, A. Lyle, Henry 
Lyle, and William Rice, and he soon had a large regiment in the field. The men 
were generally not well armed, and, like all new recruits in the beginning, wanting in 
discipline ; but under Woodward's fine system of military tactics they soon became 
disciplined and hardeiied in the usages of war. They met the enemy often, and with 
varying success. Clarksville, with Colonel Mason and its entire garrison, was captured 
with but little loss. Fort Donelson was attacked, but the attack was repulsed with 
severe loss. The next morning the enemy, presuming upon the repulse of the day 
before, followed to the rolling mills, and charged with a regiment of cavalry. Wood- 
ward had had warning of their- approach, and was ready for them. The command was 
placed in position under the river bank and in the demolished works of the old mill. 
while the small four-pounder was in position at a bridge which was a little way in front. 
rhe Federal cavalry scarcely gave the command time to get into position before it 
charged in column down the road. On they came with headlong courage. The can- 
non was overturned after one discharge, and the cavalry, with drawn sabers, swe]it 
down upon our position. The tale was soon tt)ld. '{"he men poured a terrific fire 



131 
I'rom both sides of the road into their serried columns, and the road was soon ihoked 
with dead and wounded men and horses. Two front companies were annihilated, not 
a single man escaping to tell the bloody fate of his comrades. The rear companies 
never came through, but turned and fled. The command lost not a man in the action, 
and its retreat was in safety to Ciarksville. 

Woodward remained in Kentucky drilling and enlarging his command until alter 
the battle of Perryville and Hragg's retreat from Kentucky. The Federals then sent 
(leneral Ransom, with a large command, into Southern Kentucky to drive Woodward 
out. Near the little town of (iarrettsburg, in September, 1862, the Federals struck 
Wootlward's Regiment in line of battle. The conflict was sharp and brief. Over 
powered by numbers, armed only with shot-guns, and upon ground unfitted for cavalry 
lighting, the men were no match for the long-range rifles of the trained infantry and 
artillery of the foe, and broke in disorder and fell back in great confusion, leaving a 
good many dead on the field, and carrying off as many more wounded. The next day 
Cumberland River was crossed, Kentucky faded in the distance, and the homes of oin- 
birth were left to the possession of the foe. 

Near Charlotte, in Dixon county, the command was camped for some time. The 
regiment was enlisted for one year's service, and here came the tidings that the Con- 
federate authorities would receive no enlistments for less than three years' service, and 
it came coupled with the command to swear the men in for three years and place the 
regiment under Forrest, who was then preparing to invade West Tennessee. .'\t this 
time Forrest was as much feared and despised as he was afterward appreciated and be- 
loved. So the men refused to submit to the terms proposed, and the regiment went to 
pieces, as the night-gathered clans of McGregor dissolved before the light of the morn- 
ing. Woodward's work had come to naught before its full fruition. His disappoint- 
ment was great : but, nothing daunted, he gathered around him a company of a hundred 
men, followed Forrest into West Tennessee, and did yeoman service, participating in 
every engagement of that hard campaign, and winning the highest commendation for 
liimself and men from his chief — that glorious old dead hero, who never said to his 
men, " tio," but, " Follow me ! " In this campaign Lieutenant Joe Staton was killed. 
He was a man of great vanity, but of courage true as steel, of lirilHant mind, and as 
gallant an officer as ever drew a saber or buckled a spur. 

When U'oodward returned from the campaign in West Tennes.see, his i:ommand 
was camped for weeks in the neighborhood of Columbia, Tenn. The old comrades 
again flocked to his standard ; there was no peace for them while their beloved South 
writhed in the grasp of the foe and fought for liberty. They came in troops and com- 
panies; to-day in squads of three or four, to-morrow in organized companies, mostly 
trom Kentucky, but a goodly sprinkling of Tennesseans, most of whom joined Com- 
])any A. commanded by Will A. Elliot, himself a«on of Tennessee. Company C was 
( omposed entirely of Tennesseans, and its Captain, Tom Lewis, was as noble a gentle- 
man and brave a soldier as ever lived or died. Soon once more by his indomitable 
exertions Woodward had organized a fine, serviceable body of men. Seveti full com- 



132 
panics answered at his roll-call, and stood ready to follow him to battle — not sufficient 
lor a regiment, yet it was received as such. Woodward was elected to the command, 
with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and Tom Lewis as Major. It companies were 
commanded and distinguished as follows : Company A, Will A. Elliott, Captain — about 
one-third Tennesseans; Company B, Given Campbell, Captain; Company C, Tom 
Lewis, Captain — after Lewis' promotion to Major, commanded by Lieutenant Jackson . 
Company D, Robert Biggs, Captain; Company E, John Crutcher, Captain; Compan\ 
V, j. H. Harvey, Captain; Company G, Joe Williams, Captain: C. D. Bell was Ad- 
jutant, and Edward Gray Sergeant-Major. 

Thus organized and officered, and constituted a regiment, the command w;,s 
sworn into the Confederate service for the war. It was the famous Second Kentucky, 
and if its country had a history its record should be written deep upon it. But who 
(an write its history? It would take a volume in itself to contain it. It cannot be 
(lone. Its roll has been lost; and could it be called, more voices would answer from 
the farther shore than from this. The chronicler stands appalled at the magnitude of 
the task. How write the eulogies and elegies of its living and dead? Its dead slee|) 
in every State of the South, and many a stream has been dyed with their blood. From 
•he deep-moving current of Green River to the slumberous waters of Cape Fear these 
veterans marched and fought. From where the winds of winter sweep in shrill cadences 
over the hills of Northern Kentucky to where the warm waves of the ocean lave the 
sand-leaches of Carolina they followed the flag of their country with unfaltering de\(i- 
tion through victory and defeat, until with sorrowing hearts they saw it furled and laid 
away forever. Who can write its history, illustrate its devotion, and call the roster of 
its dead? How it followed a cause until that cause was irreparably lost: how it fought 
under Forrest — the most beloved leader of them all — in his numerous hard battles in 
many ( ampaigns : in East Tennessee, under the chivalrous Kellv ; and then to Chick- 
.imauga. where P'orrest dismounted his men and led them into battle as infantry, and 
when the enemy were defeated and routed he mounted his impetuous riders and pushed 
them right upon Chattanooga. Here Forrest, followed by Major Wm. Caldwell, Ad- 
jutant C. D. Bell and Lieuterfant Pack Edmunds, daringly charged into the streets of 
the town, where Forrest's horse was killed. 

.After this battle the regiment, in spite of its prayers and entreaties, was taken from 
Forrest, and, with the First and Ninth Kentucky, organized into a brigade and placed 
under the command of J. Warren Grigsljy, and assigned to General Joseph Wheelers 
(■()r]js of cavalry. This was in obedience to new regulations from Richmond, putting 
regiments from the same State in brigades together. Forrest was to be sent into West 
Tennessee, and was allowed some troops with him. He asked for the Second Ken- 
tucky and McDonald's Battalion, but for some reason his request was refused. 

Immediately after the battle of Chickaniauga, Wheeler gathered his forces to 
liLthcr. and, crossing the Tennessee far above Chattanooga, swept around the enemy's 
rear through the whole of Middle Tennessee, leaving ruin and devastation wherever he 
marched. .\t Farminston a battle was fouirht. in which the Second Kentuck\ bore 



the brunt of the fight and lost heavily. It would be an endless task to attempt to follow 
in detail the service under this distinguished General, the Prince Rupert of the Con- 
federate army, .\fter the raid into Tennessee and some further service in East Ten- 
nessee, the command was recalled to the main army, and (jeneral John .S. Williams was 
sent to command the brigade, under whom it served until the close of the war. 

.\fter the disastrous defeat at Missionar)' Ridge, Wheeler covered the retreat from 
Dalton to .'\ltanta; and after the l)attle of Jonesboro, followed and captured Stoneman 
and his command in the heart of Georgia; and then, again crossing the Tennessee 
River near Knoxvi^le, made the circuit of the enemy's rear. On this raid Williams' 
Brigade was separated from the main command, and being hard pushed returned b\ 
way of East Tennessee and Virginia, reaching Saltville in time to join in the battle 
there under General John C. Breckenridge, which resulted in the total overthrow of 
the Federals and the saving of those valuable works. 

Hood had invaded Tennessee, and Sherman was marghing for the sea. Williams' 
Brigade was sent to join Hampton, who was the only foe Sherman had in his front. 
This General was another Forrest, and fighting was hard; but how useless! A few 
cavalry, however great their valor, could not successfully check the countless hordes 
of Sherman; and hordes they were, more pitiless than those of Attila or Genghis Khan, 
leaving fiery destruction m their march. Hampton fought them at every step, and kept 
their ])lunderers from scattering too far from their line of march. On the plains in 
front of Columbia, S. C, General Williams' Brigade was engaged in the heaviest con- 
test of the «ar, for it and the Second Kentucky left its best and bravest dead on the 
field. 

Soon after the foe reached the sea the command joined General Johnston, who was 
gathering the scattered fragments of Hood's army in North Carolina. History tells 
how those decimated veterans fought at Bentonville. Part of that history belongs to 
this veteran regiment. Hope had fled, death had thinned its ranks, but with uncon- 
i|uered resolution its men fought; but it is but truth and justice to say that they never 
met the foe in those last days but their battle-scarred banner floated in victory over his 
silenced batteries and broken columns. But the dread fiat, which struck sorrow to so 
many faithful hearts, had gone forth from the Lord of hosts, and the cause was lost. 

President Davis dispatched to General Johnston at Raleigh to send, as an escort 
lor himself and the remains of the Government, a thousand of his best cavalry. Dib- 
rell's Division, composed of Williams' and Dibrell's Brigades, was sent. The division 
reached the President at (Jreenville. and followed him in mournful march until about 
three days before his capture, beyond Washington, CJa. It was a mournful cortege 
that wound along o\er the hills of Carolina and Georgia in those memorable May davs 
of 1865. On this march one morning the writer witnessed a scene that made a strong 
impression on his )-outhful mind. An ambulance, which was in the train and near the 
front, had mired in the nuid, or broken something, which caused a halt. ( )n one side 
was Judah P. l?enjamin. Secretary of State, with shoulder to the wheel; on the other 
.side was John T. Reagan, Postmaster (ieneral ; and looking on were Charles <;. .Mem 



':>4 

luinger, Secretary of the I'reasury, and Sanuiel (.'ooper, Adjutant-C General ol all the 
armies; while a little farther off, mounted and looking on, were President Davis ami 
(leneral John f. Kreckenridge, Secretary "f War. 

The regiment was paroled Ma) 9th, near Wasliington, (hi., .vni\ allowed to retain 
their horses; but at Chattanooga their horses were taken fr(.)ni them, and they sent t(j 
Nashville and lodged in the penitentiary during the night. In the morning the men 
were marched into the i ity, made to take the oath, and allowed to go to their homes — 
sadder and wiser, if not better, men. 

Such is but a <ursor)- sketch of a regiment com])osed of the flower of the _\outh of 
KentU( ky and Tennessee, and whi( h did its duty in a great historic conflict. Its record 
liere is inconij)lete, and it is not possible now, and never will be, to write an accurate 
history of its career. No history of Tennessee could be complete, or just, or honest 
unless meritorious mention was made, even nameless though they be, of those gallant 
sons who. merging their identity in this Kentucky regiment, gave their service and 
fought and died for the land'and cause which they, in common with their mother Ten 
nessee, loveil so well. Some of them go through life dragging their poor wounded 
bodies, and no government ministers to them with fostering care, while the graves ot 
many more who died in battle dot the hills and plains of the South, and the eye of 
affection cannot find their last resting-place. No monument rises above them, no cen- 
otaph perhaps will ever have carved on its voiceful marble their glorious acts; but how- 
useless are all of these '. for marble and monumental brass corrode and fall into dust, 
yet the memories of these soldier-dead live and flourish in the hearts of their comrades, 
green as the grass that grows above them, and in the traditions of their grateful country 
their heroic deeds shall live forever. 

— 's*m- — 

KoRrV-SKCONl) IKNNKSSRK INF.\N^R^■. 



l;^ rnoMxs a. iurnkk. 

I may say of t'heathani county what Polk O. Johnson, in his history of the Fort)- 
Nintii, says of Montgomer)' : "Her people were almost unanimously in favor of pre- 
serving the i'ederal Union," until President Lincoln issued his call for troops. The 
change of feeling whiih followed, h<iwever, was complete. After this all were for the 
South, for secession — men, women, and children. The company in which I enlisted 
and ser\ed ((i) was organized when ( lovernor Ishani G. Harris made his first call tor 
troops, but failed to get in. so. soon was the order filled. We kept together. iiowe\er. 
and I (intinued to drill once a week, so that when a second call was made we were 
reatU'. and ('apt. (Dr.) Isaac IS. Walton marched us over to the railroad near Cedar 



1.^5 
Hill, in Roliertson county, and \vf pitched our tents at a place since known as Camp 
("ht'.itham. I think this was atiout the ist of October, 1861. In the organization of 
our regiment we had onl\' five companies of Tennesseans, the other five being Ala- 
liamians. 'I'he 'Tennessee companies were commanded by Captains Isaac B. Walton. 

1. N. Hulmc, Levi McCollum, J. R. Hubbard, and Whitfield. The Alabama 

com[)anies were commanded by Captains John H. Norwood, McCampbell, Henry 

Leadbetter. and Clilson. We elected W. A. Quarles, Colonel; Isaac B. Walton, 

Lieutenant-Colonel: and Levi McCollum, Major. Our field officers were all 'i'ennes- 
seans. Our .Alabama com])anies e.xpressed some dissatisfaction at this, so on our arrival 
at Camp Duncan (fair grounds, Clarksville) our Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac B. Walton, 
being an honorable, ujiright. Christian gentleman, with great magnanimity tendered 
liis resignation, reducing himself to the ranks, in order that an Alabamian might be 
chosen is his stead. His jjlace was conferred upon Capt. John H. Norwood, than 
whom no man was braver. 

We were again removed, and stationed at Fort Sevier, overlooking Cumberlanil 
Ri\er. just below Clarksville. On Thursday, February 13th, 1862, we were ordered 
to Fort Donelson, at which place a battle had already begun. This was our first 
engagement. We went down the Cumberland River on board the steamer "General 
.Anderson," landing at Dover about 2 o'clock p. m., amidst a shower of shells from 
the enemy, in which several of our men were wounded. Quarles' regiment was 
instantly ordered to the left wing to support the Thirtieth Tennessee, which was being 
charged by the enemy, but before we reached the scene of action the gallant Thirtieth 
had repulsed the foe. We were next ordered to the right wing to support a batter\ 
commanded by Captain Green. At this point the Federals had made a charge, attempt- 
ing to capture certain artillery, but were met and driven back by the Tenth Tennessee, 
commanded by Colonel Heiman. The enemy made a most desperate effort to capture 
this battery, and succeeded in dismounting every gun in it. They also killed or 
wounded almost every gunner, together with manv of the horses. After they were 
repulsed, we were ordered into the ditches, to protect us from shells and sharp-shooters. 
It was here that we began to understand the seriousness of war. Here aroimd us lay 
our brethren, mangled, cold, stiff, dead. Among the dead here I remember to have 
noticed six of the gallant old Tenth. Soon night came on. and with it cold rain, then 
sleet, then snow; and to make our distress complete, our men were nearl\ all without 
coats — the evening of our arrival being very warm, we were ordered to leave our bag- 
gage at the wharf, which we did, and never heard of it again; hence, in this condition 
the Forty-Second Regiment fought the battle of Donelson, and in this condition they 
were surrendered on the morning of the i6th of Fel)ruary, 1862. I simply state here 
that though Friday was a busy day the enemy were repulsed wherever tliey made an 
attack, and every Confederate soldier's heart betit high in anticipation of a glorious 
victory. Saturday the same feeling prevailed — I mean among the ])ri\ate soldiers (of 
whom I was one) — and there never was greater surprise in any cam]) than in that 
of the Forty-Sei iMid Tennessee, when it began to be whispered early Siniday morning 



'36 

that tlie troops who had fought so bravely were to ''jjass under the yoke, " not whip]jed, 
but surrendered. 

In the engagement at Fort Donelson the Forty-Second had (,|uite a number killed 
and wounded. Being only partially accjuainted with other companies than my own, I 
am not able to give names. Our company (G) lost one killed — (ieorge Dye, private. 
Wounded: (1. W. Weakley, Orderly Sergeant ; J. E. Turner, private. The other com- 
panies suffered, but I cannot give names or numbers. After our surrender the privates 
were sent to Camp Douglas, Illinois, and the officers to Johnson's Island. The pri- 
vates were exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. , in September, 1862; the officers were ex- 
changed in Virginia, but soon joined us at Vicksburg. The regiment re-organized at 
Clinton, Miss, .about the last of September, 1862. W. A. Quarles was again elected 
Colonel, and I. N. Hulme was elected Lieutenant-Colonel. Levi McCollum was re- 
elected Major. The five .\labania comjjanies who had served with us until now were 
put with .\labania companies, and we received five Tennessee companies in their stead. 
The Forty-Second was then composed of ten companies of Tennesseans from Middle 
and W'est Tennessee. 

From Clinton the I'Vjrty-Second journeyed exactly as did the Forty-Ninth, to whii )i 
the reader is referred. In March, 1863, Colonel Quarles was made Brigadier-Ceneral, 
when, by seniority. Hulme became Colonel: McCollum, Lieutenant-Colonel; and 
Hubbard, Major. We left Port Hudson. La., on the 6th of April. 1865, en iviitc ior 
Jackson, Miss. Thence we were ordered to Vicksburg to re-enforce (jeneral Pember 
ton. We were within fourteen miles of that place when it surrendered July 4th, 1863. 
We began our retreat from Bird Song Pond on the morning of the 5th of July, falling 
back to Jackson, at which place we held the enemy in check for several days. We 
were with General Loring, and served under General Johnston in his lampaign in 
Mississippi. We were next sent to Mobile. .\la.: thence to Dalton. (ia.; tlien( e bai k 
to Mobile: thence to Mississippi again. 

General W. .\. Quarles was now ( (imnianding our brigade. ( )ur tornier ( oni- 
mander was (ieneval .S. IJ. Maxey, of Texas, a gallant and chivalrous officer: and 
though the iirigade loved him dearly, yet they had great satisfaction in his successor, 
(ieneral (Juarles, whom every soldier in the brigade loved and served as a son does a 
father. When off duty he was '•one of us." but when occasion demanded it he was 
dignity itself. He was a brave and brilliant soldier, yet careful and |jrudent; wise in 
council: full of executive ahilit\'. ( )ur (li\'ision commander was General French. 
Lieutenant-General Polk < ommanding the l■l>rp^. \\'e went from .Meridian. Miss., to 
Mobile, .\la.. being thence transferred to the .\rmy of i'ennessee. Our division com 
mander then wa> (leiieral K. C. Walthall, of Coffeeville, Miss., an excellent officer. 
We were in the eng.igements at New Hope Church in May, 1864. and Pine Mountain 
and Kennesaw in June. At Pine Mountain (leneral Polk was killed. .After his death 
( ieneral Johnston took charge of the troops. 

We were in the engagements at Smyrna Depot. Peach-Tree Creek, .\tlanta. and 
1 .ilk-Skillet Road. -\t Peach-'Tree Creek and l.ii k-Skillet we suffereil severely, par- 



137 
tiiularly in the latter. The battle of Fr.mklin, Iiowever, was more destructive to our 
regiment by far than any previous battle had been. VVe were only a skeleton when 
the battle began. The Forty-Second went into that battle with about one hundred and 
>eventy-five men, and came out with about half that number. Here our Colonel, I. N. 
Hulme, received a wound from which he never recovered. I would mention here oiu" 
I olor-bearer, an Irishman named Maney, a man literally without fear. He had his 
head nearly severed from his body while trying to plant the flag on the third line of the 
enemy's works. To the best of my recollection the Forty-Second came out of the bat- 
tle of I'ranklin with about eighty-five men. The company to which I belonged went 
into the battle with twenty-seven men, and came out with thirteen killed and wounded, 
eight of whom were killed dead on the field. Our Brigadier-General, Quarles, re<'eived 
a se\ere uoiind in the arm in this battle. Major-Cieneral Walthall had his horse shot 
uniler him. .\djutant-(;eneral Stejjhen .\. Cowley was killed, with many other brave 
and true Tennesseans, whom I would gladly mention, but cannot recall tlieir names: 
so I •• leave them alone in their glory," 

From Franklin we ]iursued the enemy to Nashville, arriving there December i6. 
1.S64. We contended with the Federal forces there for three days, but accomplished 
nothing, and retreated on the 20th. On this retreat I was captured near Spring Hill, 
Tenn.. and sent to Camp Chase, O. Was exchanged in March, 1865, by way of Rich- 
mond, \'a. Was sick in a hospital at Greensboro, N. C, when the armies surrendered. 
Hence my story of the Forty-Second Tennessee Infantry practically ends with the bat- 
tle at Nashville. 



'^m- 



TENTH TENNESSF:E INFANTRY. 



HV I.KWIS R. CI..\RK. 



The Tentli Tennessee Regiment was organized at F'ort Henry, May, 1861 ; Colonel, 
.\dolphus Heiman; Lieutenant-Colonel, Randall W. McGavock ; Major, Win, Grace; 
.Adjutant, John Handy, succeeded by La Fayette McConnico; Sergeant-Major, W, F. 
Heatty; Chaplain, Rev. Father -Henry Vincent Brown; Surgeon, Dr. Alfred Voorhies; 
.Xssistant-Surgeon, Dr. Di.xon Horton; Assistant- Quartermaster, John McLaughlin; 
Assistant Commissary Subsistence, Felix Abby. Company A was organized at Mc- 
I'.wen's Station.: Captain, John G. O'Neill; First Lieutenant, James McMurray ; Second 
Lieutenant, James White: Brevet .Second Lieutenant, William Burke. Company li 



was organized at Nashville: Captain, Leslie E^Uis; First Lieutenant, John McEvoy ; 
Second Lieutenant, \\iniani (Jrace, elected Major, and succeeded by William Poe : 
Brevet Second Lieutenant, William Gleason. Company C was organized at Nashville: 
Captain, John H. Anderson; First Lieutenant, William F. Beatty; Second Lieutenant. 
Henry Carter; Brevet Second Lieutenant, L. P. Hagan. Company I) was organized 
at Clarksville : Captain, William M. Marr; First Lieutenant, Lynch B. Donoho; Second 
Lieutenant, J. Monroe, afterward elected Captain of Company E, and succeeded 1)\ 
Edward Ryan; Brevet Second Lieutenant, William Dwyer. Company E was organized 
at Nashville: Captain, John Archibald, resigned, and succeeded by Lieutenant J. Mon- 
roe, of Company D; First Lieutenant, W. S. Flippin, succeeded by Ceorge A. Dig- 
gons; Second Lieutenant, O. H. Hight; Brevet Second Lieutenant, James P. Kirkman 
Company F was organized at Nashville: Captain, St. Clair Morgan; First Lieutenant. 
Moses Hughes; Second Lieutenant, John Long; Brevet Second Lieutenant, J. N. 
Bradshaw. Company G was organized at Nashville: Captain, Boyd M. Cheatham; 
First Lieutenant, William Sweeney; Second Lieutenant, Hartley Dorsey; Brevet Second 
Lieutenant, A. L. Berry. Company H was organized at Nashville: Captain, Randall 
\V. McGavock, elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and succeeded by Lieutenant William 
Ford; First Lieutenant, William Ford; Second-Lieutenant, Robert Joynt; Brevet Sec- 
ond Lieutenant, James Finucane. Company I was organized at Pulaski: Captain. 
Lewis T. Waggoner, succeeded by John Handy; First Lieutenant, John Handy, suc- 
ceeded by La Fayette McCounico; Second Lieutenant, La Fayette McConnico; Brevet 

Second Lieutenant, McCoy. Company K was organized at Nashville: Captain. 

S. Thompson; First Lieutenant, Joseph Phillips; Second Lieutenant, John W. Bryan; 
Brevet Second Lieutenant, Robert Erwin. When the Tenth Tennessee Regiment was 
tirst organized at Fort Henry, it was without either Svirgeon or Assistant Surgeon, and 
the health of the men was under the care of the Surgeon of the post. Dr. D. F. Wright, 
and his assistant. Dr. Joseph M. Plunket, until Dr. Voorhies was assigned to duty as 
Surgeon of the regiment. 

This regiment remained at Fort Henry from the time of its organization in May. 
1861, perfecting itself in drill and discipline, until the bombardment by the United 
States forces on February 6th, 1862. The forces at Fort Henry were commanded b\' 
Brigadier-General Lloyd Tilghman. Colonel Heiman, of the Tenth Tennessee, com- 
manded a brigade composed of his own regiment and the Fourth Mississippi, anil 
Lieutenant-Colonel McGavock commanded the Tenth Tennessee. After a bombard- 
ment lasting about four hours, the sixty-four pound rifled gun in the fort exploded, 
killing and wounding six or seven of our men, and the hundred and twenty-eight pound 
smooth-bore gun was dismounted by the force of its recoil. There was no infantry 
engagement at Fort Henry. Before the white flag was hoisted. General Tilghman 
ordered the infantry forces to withdraw and fall back to Fort Donelson. As Colonel 
Heiman passed through the works, he shot one of the ejiemy who was entering the fort 
to get a close look at the Confederates. Colonel Heiman resumed command when he 
overtook the regiment about two miles from Fort Henrv. It was a verv trvintr march 



■39 
to Kort Doiiflsoi-,, where we arrived (|uite late at night, having waded a nunilier of 
Miiall streams much swollen by rains and melted snow. We were constantly harasseil 
liv pressure from the enemy's cavalry, which we had to resist several times by forming 
in line of battle and driving them back. 

The fighting commenced at Fort Donelson on February 13th, 1862, with the en- 
emy in overwhelmingly superior numbers. ( )ur works were assaulted several times 
during the day, and shelled re]3eatedly during the night. 'I"he next day showed a 
steady continuance of the fight, which was rendered very trying by the bad weather, 
the ground being covered with snow in a slushy, half-melted condition, freezing at 
night and thawing in the daytime. The third day we repulsed an attack of the enemy 
and drove them several miles. It was owing to the terrific losses inflicted upon the 
assaulting forces by our regiment that it earned the sol)ri(iuet of "The Hloody Tenth." 
.Vmong the enemy's forces engaged in our front, the Second Iowa — which was a mag- 
nificent body of men — suffered the most .severely. By this time our men were com- 
pletely worn out. With three days of steady, hard fighting, and two nights of sleep- 
less e.xposure in the trenches to guard against an apprehended assault, we were thor- 
olighly exhausted. Then rumors came that we were about to be surrendered. Captains 
John H. .\nderson and William M. Marr escaped and joined other commands; but 
the great majority of the men were so tired and exhausted that they slept in sjiite of 
their efforts to keep awake, and the next morning, February i6th, 1862, we found our- 
selves prisoners, and stacked our arms, after inflicting a loss upon the enemy in killed 
and wounded equal to the total Confederate loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. 

We were carried to several different prisons. The field and staff officers were 
taken to Fort Warren, the line officers to Johnson's Island, and the non-commissioned 
officers and men to Camp Douglas, at Chicago. .\t Camp Douglas we were kindly 
treated for a month or two, while under the charge of Colonel Mulligan, who had him- 
self been captured with his command by General Price in Missouri. But when Mulli- 
gan's command was relieved froin this duty, we became guarded by "home guards" 
and " sixty days men," who. having no chance to punish their enemy on the field, 
treated us who were in their power with atrocious barbarity in niuiierous ways, and 
even to the extent of shooting through the barracks at night, killing and wounding 
]irisoners asleep in their bunks. We were removed from Camp Douglas in Se])tember 
and arrived at Vicksburg, Miss., where we were exchanged, on the 24th of that inonth. 

Re-organized at Clinton, Miss., October 2d, 1862: Colonel, Adolphus Heiman. 
succeeded by R. W. McGavock, succeeded by William (irace, succeeded by J. (J. 
O'Neill; Lieutenant-Colonel, R. W. McGavock, succeeded by William Grace, suc- 
ceeded by S. Thompson, succeeded by J. G. O'Neill; Major, William Grace, succeeded 
by S. Thompson, succeeded by John G. O'Neill ; Adjutant, Theo. Kelsey, siu - 
< ceded by Robert Paget Seymour; Sergeant-Major, Morris Griffin; Chaplain, Re\ . 
I'ather Fl Bliemel ; Surgeon, Dr. Mallet; Assistant Surgeon, Dr. S. W. Franklin; 
(,)uartermaster, .Cai)tain Ed. McGavock; Commissary, Captain John B. Johnson. 
Company A, original Company A : Captain, John G. O'Neill, succeeded by [ames 



14° 
McMiirray ; First Lieutenant, James McMurray, succeeded liy C H. Stockell. Com- 
pany B, original Company K: Captain, S. Thompson, succeeded by John W. Bryan: 
First Lieutenant, John VV. Bryan, succeeded by Joseph De G. Evans; Second Lieu- 
tenant, Joseph De G. Evans, succeeded by Robert Erwin; Brevet Second Lientenani, 
Rotiert Erwin, succeeded by James Wiley. Company C, original Company F: Cap- 
tain, St. Clair Morgan, succeeded by C. C. Malone ; First Lieutenant. Claren< e C. 
Malone. Company D, original Company G : Captain, William Sweeney, su( ceeded 
by Bartley Dor.sey; First Lieutenant, Bartley Dorsey. Company E, original Comi)any 
B: Captain, Thomas Gibson (resigned and succeeded by James P. Kirkman) ; First 
Lieutenant, Theo. Kelsey (made Adjutant, resigned Lieutenantcy, and succeeded by 
James P. Kirkman); Second Lieutenant, James P. Kirkman. Company F, original 
Company H: Captain, A. L. Berry. Company G, original Company E: Captain. 
George A. Diggons; First Lieutenant, John D. Winston; Second Lieutenant, William 
W. Foote ; Brevet Second Lieutenant, William Lanier. Company H, original Com- 
jjany I: Captain, Joseph Ryan. Company I, original Company D: Captain, John I.. 
Prendergast; First Lieutenant, Lynch B. Donoho; Second Lieutenant, James T. Dun 
lap; Brevet Second Lieutenant, William Dwyer (resigned, joined Morgan's Cavalr\. 
killed north of Ohio River.) Company K, original Company C: Captain, Lewis R. 
Clark: First Lieutenant, L. P. Hagan; Second Lieutenant, James Conroy. 

About ten days after the re-organization at Clinton we were ordered to Holly 
Springs, where we were placed in the brigade commanded by General John Gregg, of 
Texas, a magnificent soldier and a splendid man, whom we all loved dearly. He was 
killed in one of the battles in Virginia in the Fall of 1S64, having been transferred there 
in command of a Texas brigade. From Holly Springs our brigade was ordered tu 
Water Valley, where we were reviewed by President Davis; thence to Tippah Ford, 
back again to Holly Springs, then to Waterford, O.xford and Grenada. Colonel Hei- 
man's health had been seriously impaired by his confinement in prison, and it now 
became evident that his strength was steadily failing. In December he was promoted 
to Brigadier-General, and shortly afterward quietly and peacefully entered into rest at 
Jackson, Miss., 

Like one that wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. 

Hy the promotion of Colonel Heiman Lieutenant-Colonel McGavock became 
Colonel, Major Grace became Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain S. Thompson became 
Major. Near the close of December, 1862, our brigade was ordered to Vicksburg, and 
near there met Sherman's forces and defeated them in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou. 
Gn January 6th, 1863, our brigade was ordered to Port Hudson, La., where we re- 
mained several months, occupied mostly with camp duties and drilling. On March 
1 5th, 1863, we were bombarded by the United States fleet of mortar-boats, gun-boats 
and men-of-war of the old navy. Our brigade occupied the extreme right of the Con- 
federate position, with the right of our brigade resting below the hot-shot batteries ujxjn 



141 
the river liank. The hdmljarclmtnt took pkict at night, and was in the highest degree 
hrilHant and exciting. The grand entertainment was illuminated by the burning of the 
splendid United States frigate Mississippi, which had gallantly advanced up the river 
to a iKisiti(jn o]iposite our right fiank, where it was fired by our hot-shot batteries. 

About this time Dr. Sidney \V. Franklin, a young but very skillful physician and 
surgeon, was assigned to duty as Assistant Surgeon of our regiment. He remained 
with us until after the fall of X'icksburg, about which time he received a well-deserved 
promotion to Surgeon, with the rank of Major, and was assigned to duty with the P'our- 
teenth Mississippi. 

On May 2d, 1863, our brigade was ordered from Port Hudson, and five days later, 
on Mav 7th, met the enemy at [ackson, Miss., and repidsed them. We marched 
theme to Ra\iiiond. Miss., where, on Mav 12th, 1863, we met the corps commanded 
l)y the Federal (ieneral John .-X. Logan. We were so largely outnumbered, and had 
so much ground to cover in guarding the different approaches to the town, that the 
different portions of the brigade were often separated more than within supporting dis- 
tance of each other. The greater portion of the day was occupied in resisting attacks, 
making <|uick charges and rapid changes of position to right or left to support other 
jiortions of the brigade, as the developments of the battle indicated to us to be neces- 
sary. It was in one of these movements that Colonel McGavock received his death- 
wound. His tall, commanding person, with gray military cloak thrown back over his 
shoulder, displaying the brilliant scarlet lining, made him a very conspicuous figure at 
the head of his regiment. Noticing from the sound of the musketry that the enemy 
were pressing our men very closely on the right, we moved in that direction, charging 
on the enemy's flank. At such close quarters, no doubt many shots were aimed directly 
at Colonel ^k;Gavock, and presently one struck near the heart, from which he died in 
a few minutes. The writer saw him directly afterward, as he lay stretched upon the 
field, with his stern, determined features relaxed into a softened expression. 

As he lay like a warrior taking his rest, 
With his martial cloak around him. 

Dr. l-'ranklin was one of those Assistant Surgeons who held it to be the duty of that 
officer to attend his regiment on the field of battle, and was very near Colonel McGav- 
ock when he fell, took charge of his remains after the battle, and had them conveyed 
to the Court House, whence he had them interred next day with all proper respect and 
attention. 

Our regiment being consolidated with the Thirtieth Tennesse, Colonel Turner, of 
that regiment, took command of the consolidated regiment on the field, and after sev- 
eral hours of hard fighting we wtfre ordered to fall back, and the brigade closed together 
and marched back to Jackson. It was very difficTilt for Logan's corps to believe that 
they had been fighting a mere brigade, but they were finally convinced when the\ 
found that all the wounded left in their hands belonged to the same brigade. -Among 
the wounded in this battle were Captain John 1.. Prendergnst, with a severe wound in 



142 

the hip, and Captain George A. Diggons, wounded near the knee, whu h disabled him 
from further active service. 

After the battle of Raymond our brigade fell back to Jackson, Miss., and during 
the remainder of May and June we were on a continuous march, watching the opera- 
tions of the enemy against Vicksburg ; moved through Canton, Yazoo City, and Big 
Ulack Bottom, and back again to Jackson, where we intrenched. Here we were at- 
tacked by the enemy, and we repulsed them. In the meantime Lieutenant-Colonel 
(Irace took his promotion to Colonel, Major Thompson became Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and Captain John G. O'Neill became Major. About thelatter part of July, 1863, we 
fell back from Jackson, via Brandon, Morton and Forrest City, to Meridian, and 
thence to Enterprise, where we had a temporary rest in camp. This summer's cam 
paign was excessively trying to the men. Continuous long marches, over hot, dry. 
dusty roads, and under the piercing rays of the relentless sun, made the scarcity ot 
water severely felt. 

On September iith, 1863, our brigade was ordered to Mobile; thence, via Mont- 
gomery, through Adanta, to join General Bragg's .^rmy of Tennessee, near Ringgold, 
Ga. On the route our train had a collision with the south-bound freight-train near 
Cartersville, Ga., on September 14th, 1863, in which several hundred men were killed 
and crippled, belonging mainly to the Fiftieth Tennessee Regiment and First Tennes- 
see Battalion. We effected a junction with the .\rmy of Tennessee on the night of 
September 17th, and on the i8th advanced with the whole army in line of battle, re- 
peatedly striking the enemy's cavalry outposts, and having small skirmishes. ( )n the 
next day we attacked the main body of the enemy, and for two days (September 19th 
and 20th, 1863) we had terrific fighting, whipping the enemy disastrously, and driving 
them in perfect rout into Chattanooga. This was the famous battle of Chickamauga, 
and a very costly one it was to our regiment. Tennyson immortalized Cardigan's 
Light Brigade for the famous charge made by them at Balaklava. Their loss in killed, 
wounded and prisoners was /rss than two-thirds of the number that went into the charge. 
We carried three hundred and twenty-eight men into action at Chickamauga, and lost 
two hundred and twenty-four killed and wounded — j/I(»y than two-thirds. We lost only 
two as prisoners, and they were both wounded, .\mong the killed at Chickamauga 
were Captain St. Clair Morgan, Captain Wm. Sweeney and .\djutant Theo. Kelsey. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson received a wound in the foot, which rendered amjjuta- 
tion necessary, and di.sabled him. He retired, and .NLijor O'Neill became Lieutenant- 
(.'olonel. Lieutenant John 1). Winston, as chivalrous and gallant a soldier as ever 
drew a blade, received wounds from which he afterward died in hospital. There was 
not a man of us but loved him and mourned his loss. Captain Prendergast received a 
.'.evere wound in tlic hand and arm. We lost several Color Bearers, but as soon as one 
was shot the colors were seized by one of the color guard, and were never allowed to 
touch the ground. After this battle Lieutenant Robert Paget Seymour was made Ad- 
jutant. He was of a distinguished Irish family, a godson of the Earl of Clanricarde. 
and had belonged to the Royal Household Troops. He served through the Crimean 



'43 
war as Adjutant of the Sixth Dragoon (iiiards. I do not know what has become ot 
him since the war, but a braver spirit and a tenderer heart never animated the form of 
man. He was a si'/Jirr, every atom of him. 

After the battle of Chickamauga, the army moved forward and occupied a Hne 
across the Chattanooga Valley, near the town, with our right resting on Missionary 
Ridge and our left on Lookout Mountain. Here we staid about two months. Our 
brigade commander, General John Gregg, having been badly wounded at Chicka- 
mauga, the brigade was broken up, and portions sent to re-enforce other brigades. 
Our regiment, the Thirtieth Tennessee, and the Fiftieth Tennessee were sent to Tyler's 
Brigade, commanded previously by General W. B. Bate. About November 20th, 
1863, the enemy in our front began to show some activity; made a determined assault 
on Lookout Mountain, and carried it on November 23d. The next day found our 
lines disposed on the crest of Missionary Ridge, and early in the day we were attacked. 
The position of our regiment was a little to the right of General Bragg's headquarters. 
Assault followed assault, which we regularly repulsed. Finally, the enemy broke 
through in several places to the right and to the left of our brigade, and we could see 
other commands falling back ; but our brigade fought steadily on. The position of our 
regiment was the left flank of the brigade. All the troops on our left fell back, and 
we could see the Federal forces pouring upon the ridge. Then all the rest of our 
l)rigade fell back, leaving our regiment and the Thirtieth Tennessee angry and fighting 
still, witli both flanks exposed. We learned afterward that a command had been passed 
down the line of our brigade for us to fall back, but it did n't reach "The Bloody 
Tenth," and so we staid until to stay longer was to be captured. Then the Colonel 
ordered us back, and in going back we captured some adventurous Federals who had 
gotten in our rear. Reluctant to fall back at all, we halted in the valley immediately 
in rear of Missionary Ridge, faced toward the enemy, and were about to resume the 
fight, when we received orders to fall farther back, where the remainder of the brigade 
had taken position. There we checked the progress of the enemy, and that night took 
up the line of march toward Dalton, Ga., which we reached in a few days, and there- 
went into Winter-quarters. 

General Tyler having been badly wounded at Missionary Ridge, Colonel Tom 
Smith, of the Twentieth Tennessee, took command of the brigade. For about five 
months we lay in Winter-quarters. On May 2d, 1864, the enemy in our front showed 
some activity, and for about ten days there was lively skirmishing at Rocky Fact- 
Ridge, Ringgold Gap, and Buzzard Roost, in which our regiment was engaged some 
four or five days, the picket firing being kept up quite constantly at night. We were 
now fairly launched upon the famous campaign of 1864. On May 12th we fell back 
to Resaca, and although no general assaults were made, we had two days of regular, 
steady fighting, during which Lieutenant-Colonel O'TJeill was severely wounded through 
both lungs, disabling him for several months. Again falling back, we were assaulte<l 
by the enemy at New Hope Church, May 27th, and we handsomely re])ulsed them. 
Continuing our retrograde movement, we reached Pine Mountain, and made a stand 



144 
for a fight, during which there was some desultory musketry and artillery dueling on 
our part of the line on June 15th. Lieutenant-General Polk was killed about seventy- 
five yards to the right of our regiment. Reached Kennesaw Mountain June 24th. and 
had continuous fighting until June 28th. All of the small growth on tlie mountain 
being literally shot away, we changed the name to Bald Mountain. After this, we 
were occupied several weeks between Marietta and Atlanta, changing positions and 
watching the movements of the enemy, until we finally engaged them at the Ijattle "f 
Peach-tree Creek, on July 20th, in which our division commander, W. H. T, Walker, 
was killed. Two days later, on Jul)- 22d, our command again met the enemy and 
fought the battle of Decatur, about si.x miles from Atlanta. It was here. I think, that 
the Federal General McPherson was killed. After this battle we found our brigade vn 
the extreme right of the army. General Hardee's ( orps. to whicli we belonged, forming 
the right wing of the army. On .\ugust 5th we found our I'ront uncovered, and shortlv 
afterward it was rejjorted that the enemy were attempting to flank our left wing. Our 
brigade was temporarily detached from Hardee"s corps, and ordered to the extreme 
left, where we reported to General Stephen D. Lee, and were attached to his corps. 
We at once threw up some works about equal to skirmish-line rifle pits at half distance, 
'i'he next day, August 6th, we were vigorously assaulted in our half-intrenched posi- 
tion ; repeated charges were made in the most determined manner, but we repulsed 
them in every instance. Occasionally some of the enemy pre.ssed into our very lines, 
only to find themselves prisoners. Finally we ourselves made a charge, and captured 
a good many prisoners. Occupying the field, we found that we had killed, wounded, 
and captured more men than we had in our brigade. This little engagement occurred 
near Utoy Creek. It appears in our reports as ■• the skirmish on the left, August 6th. 
1864," and in the Federal reports as ••the battle of Utah Creek, August 6th. 
1864." ()ur loss was light in this engagement, but was heavy at Peach-Tree Creek. 
July 20th, and at Decatur, July 22d, and also in the battle of Jonesboro, later on in 
August and immediately preceding the evacuation of .\tlanta. .\t the battle of Jones- 
boro Colonel Grace received his death wound, and after a few days died, deploring 
tlie fact that he lould render no more service to tlie cause that he lo\ed so much. 

.\fter life's t'ltful t'e\ er. he sleeps well. 

Rev. Father Bliemel was killed \\ hile administering the sacrament of extreme unction 
to the dying on the field of battle. .^ gallant soldier of Christ, who feared death in no 
form while doing the work of his Lord and Master. In this battle we lost many of our 
]iluckiest and bravest fellows. Captain Berry was wounded in the leg, and Captain 
Prendergast was strut k by a piece of shrapnel on the hip that was wounded at the 
battle of Ravmond. which caused his old wound to open again. Our gallant Color- 
Sergeant. James Hayes, was killed. 

The regiment participated, with heaw lo.sses. in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., 
Noveml)er 30th, 1864: and Nashville, December i6th, 1864. .After this there was! 
much hard marching, leading up to the battle of Bentonville, N. C, Mar( h 19th, 1865. i 



145 
Shortly after tliLs the evacuation of Richmond threw its gloomy pall over us, and a 
little later the surrender at Appomattox Court House wrung our hearts with grief. 
Then came what seemed to us some purposeless wanderings and changes of position, 
resulting finally in our going into camp at Greensboro, N. C, where we were surren- 
dered April 26th, 1865. And there ended the military career of as gallant a set of 
fellows as e\er marched, fought, and liled on the green earth. There were not quite 
a hundred left to partici])ate in the closing scene. Of these, every one had been 
wounded — a number of them seven times, several of them five times. It was the 
.saddest scene ever witnessed under the broad canopy of heaven. An army in tears'. 
Brave hearts, that the most appalling dangers of the most terrific battles could not 
daunt, were now crushed with the desolation of despair. 



♦S^J»> 



EARLY BUSINESS OF CLARKSVILI.E. 



Returning to the establishment, growth and business enterjjrise of the town, 
Clarksville wa3 no doubt first established as a fort; located in the junction of Red and 
Cumberland Rivers by the pioneers evidently for the convenience and comfort of pure 
sparkling spring water, and also as a better defense against the enemy, the rivers being 
an obstruction to the stealthy approach of hostile Indians. John Montgomery and 
Martin Armstrong entered the land on which Clarksville is located, as before stated, 
in Jannar\-, 1784; after the land was sur\ eyed, Martin .\rmstrong laid out a town. A 
fort was erected at the town spring, which now supplies water to the foiindr\- of Whit- 
field, Bates cS: Co., and the (General Assembly of North Carolina, to which the State 
of Tennessee then lielonge-d, on ap]jlication of the purchasers, enacted a law incor- 
porating 200 acres of land lying in the fork of Cumberland River and Red River on 
the east side, to establish a town, to be a town common, by the name of "Clarksville," 
agreeably to the plan laid off by said Martin Armstrong. For ten years after thi.s 
settlement the Indians were very troublesome, making constant raids, and whole fami- 
lies were murdered and scalped in their houses; people suffered all kinds of privations, 
mental an.xiety, the loss of loved ones by the scalping knife, caused strong hearts to 
falter. The town and country was almost depopulated of the early settlers before the 
Indians could be driven out. Colonel Valentine Sevier's tw-o sons, John Curtis and 
John Rice, elsewhere spoken of, \vere killed January 7th, 1792, at the place now known 
as seven-mile ferry (three miles from town by laiill), by Double Head, the Cherokee 
chief, and his ])arty. They were on their way in small hand boats with a number of 
I other men to reijiforce Oeneral Robertson at the French Lick, now Nashville. Curtis, 
I Rice, and the two Sc\ier boys were killed by the first volley fired by the Indians from 



T46 
amlnish. The other parties sa\ed themsehes by i|uiekly rowing to the Chirksville 
side and abandoning their boats, which the Indians got possession of, scalped the dead 
and carried off the provisions. Colonel Sevier died in 1800. The reader must con- 
clude tliat the town of C'larksville progressed slowly under such surroundings and cir- 
cumstances. The occupants of the then backwoods were not the invited customers 
and welcome visitors, as those are who now occui)_v the same fertile lands. Colonel 
Montgomery was killed b)' the Indians No\ember 27th, 1794. on a hunting excursion 
to Eddyville. The partv was in camp when surprised, and Montgomery might have 
escaped, but died defending Colonel Hugh Timon after he was wounded. Colonel 
Montgomery rendered valuable services to the public in manv ways, was prominent in 
all public affairs, and the county was named in honor of him for his distinguished 
ser\ices. 

Six hundred and forty acres of land was included in the grant from North Carolina 
to John Montgomery and Martin Armstrong for the consideration of ;^io in payment 
for every one hundred acres of land. The grant was signed by Richard Caswell, 
CJovernor, Captain-General, and Commander-in-Chief, at Kingston, N. C September 
22d, 1784; the entry made January i6th, 1784. The prominent citizens at that time 
were John Montgomery, Martin Armstrong, Amos Bird, Anthony Crutcher, William 
('rutcher, George Bell, ^-Enea.s McCallester, Robert Nelson. Lardner Clark, William 
Poke, and Anthony Bledsoe. 

During the years 1790 to 1793 inclusive, lots sold more freely. James Adams 
bought Lot No. 18, one-half acre of land, for ;^io; John Boyd bought No. 71 for;^io;' 
Phebe McClure, Tot No. 16, ^"10; Robert Dennehy, Lot No. 2, containing three 
acres, for ^10, also an out lot of three acres for ^10, and Lots Nos. 3 and 4, each 
three acres, for ;£!'io each. November 17th, 1791, James Adams bought of George 
Bell Lot No. 18, one-half acre, for ^10. January i8th, 1792, Martha Curtis bought 
Lot No. 51 for ^10. Elijah Robertson, of Davidson county, bought Lot No. 80 for 
;^io on the i8th of .\pril, 1792. George and William Briscoe sold Lot No. 53, con- 
taining one-half acre of land, on March iSth. 1793. to Robert Dunning, for ^40. 
James Davis bought a lot of seven acres on the north side of Red River, April 17th, 
1793, for ^^100. It appears from this transaction that land on the Providence side ot 
the river was valued higher at that early day than it is now. Perhaps it was the river 
front and water advantages, or the high point for a fort and guard against the approach 
and surprise by the Indians, that made such lots worth nearly $70 per acre. However 
as the country increased in population it proved to be a good business point until Red 
River was bridged over, making easy access to Clarksville. John Montgomery, Lard- 
ner Clark and Anthony Crutcher were partners in most of these transfers; Robert 
Nelson was connected with the partnership in some instances, and in some cases Colonel 
Montgomery was alone in the speculations. 

The Indian troubles were about over, and the ])Oi)ulation increased faster than was 
anticipated; the town soon had to be enlarged, and the Legislature passed an act 
October 25th. 1797, adding fifty-six town lots and fifty-six out lots, the lands of Peter 



'47 
1). Roberts, to lie laid ulT with proiier streets and a]le\s, ea( li town hit to be 88 feet 
front and 247'.. feet long, one-half acre, and each out-lot to be 912 feet in breadth and 
476 feet long, one acre, "the largest side of which lot shall be east and west." A 
commercial city of the im|)ortance of Clarksville at this date, was not dreamed of b\ 
the early settlers. 'I'lieir <onception \vas simply a county seat, a ])lace to record deeds, 
marriage licenses, and other contracts, settle ditTeren< es by law. swap toon skins, 
biilfalo hides, grated meal, hominy, flax and home spun cotton, and therefore the 
narrow streets which characterize the city of seven hills. Wagons or \chicles of an) 
kind w-ere very scarce at that early day. nor does history give any account of the mule, 
although the negro was here. Ox carls and truck wagons were principally used; truck 
wagon wheels were made by sawing three inch blocks off of large black-gum logs and 
making a hole in the ceiitre for the axletree. According to early writings of W. R. 
Bringhurst, there was but one vehicle in use in Clarksville up to 1826, and that an 
ancient one-horse cart used for ev,ery purpose. Steamboats had not been invented 
when Clarksville was laid ofl" and chartered for a town, consequently there was but 
little trade or traffic of any kind. People gathered in close settlements that they might 
be able to defend themselves against the Indians, and cultivate small corn and truck 
|iat( hes to the extent of the clearings they were able to make, and relied greatly on 
hunting and fishing for a living. They brought with them the old North Carolina 
s]iinning wheel and hand loom. The men raised corn patches and went hunting. The 
women raised flax and cotton and s|iun the thread and wove it into cloth to clothe 
their husbands and fathers. (This country owes its prosperity to the mothers after all.) 
.Silk and broadcloth was then out of the question, and calico cost one dollar per yard; 
salt ranged from $5 to $16 [ler bushel. River traffic was carried on to a limited extent 
by canoes and small hand boats. 

A copy of the Clarksville Chronicle, dated Wednesday, January 21st, 1818, is 
now in this office, which contains many interesting items connecting the present with 
the past history of Clarksville; names and incidents familiar to many people of this day 
and worthy of preservation'. The paper is 18x24 inches, four pages, five columns to 
the page, or twenty columns. Vol. IV, No. ^;^. of the New Series, indicates that this 
|iaper is four years old, which dates it back to August, 1813, as the beginning of the 
new series. .As to what the old series was, no reliable information can be had, but it 
is evident that the Chronicle was published earlier than 1813, and we think it was in 
existence in 1808. This paper was "printed and published by Wells & Peeples at 
two dollars a year in advance, or three dollars at the expiration of three months." It 
is made up very much like weeklies of the present day, and printed on coarse white 
[laper in jjica (large type). It was the official organ for Robertson, Dickson. Humph- 
reys and Stewart counties. The first page has a three column sketch, in the form of a 
letter to Lady Besborough, giving an interesting account of the adventures, wounding, 
great suffering, and remarkable escape and recovery of her brave son, Col. Ponsonbv. 
a British officer; on the battle field of Waterloo. It has several columns of Congres- 
sional reports on the financial condition of the government. The fourth page contains 



148 
advertisements of several land sales in Humphreys county, by the Sheriff. \Vm. H. 
Rurton. Mr. Lemuel Sledge gives notice that he has been employed by the Trustees 
to take charge of Mount Pleasant Academy, to commence first of January, 1818; he 
intends teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, geography, together 
with the Latin language, etc. H. E. Wells is County Ranger, and by his advertisement 
of stray horses taken up, it ajipears that horses were very cheap: a mare and colt \alued 
at $7.00, a good young 3-year-old valued at $15.00, and mare and colt valued at .$25.00. 
A. Cheatham, Sheriff and Ranger of Robertson county, has some stray notices, and 
advertises the farm of Robert B. Mitchell to be sold in the town of Springfield on the 
9th of February. 1818, to satisfy a writ o{ rriidi/io/ii r.xpoiias from the honorable Circuit 
Court of Sumner county. John H. & R. Poston have just received from Philadelphia 
a very large and general assortment of "merchandise," including almost every article 
to be found in a store in the western country, which they offer for sale at the most 
reduced prices for cash or credit; the highest price given for tobacco of the first qualit\- 
until 15th January; dated Clarksville, December 8th, 1817. ' The above advertisement 
indicates that John H. Poston was one of the first merchants of Clarksville, and shows 
how business was done in those good old days. The Postons, however, did not have 
the trade all to themselves. Here is another: ■'Samuel Vance still continues to carry 
on the mercantile business in Clarksville in his new storehouse at the southeast corner 
of the Public Square, where he has lately opened a large and splendid assortment of 
merchandise, suitable for present and approaching season, which he is determined to 
sell vmusually low for cash or to ])unctual customers on a credit. He expects to jjur- 
chase produce, but has not yet determined on an}' price for any particular species." 
Nathan Peeples and Heydan E. Wells publishes a notice as Administrators of David 
Peeples, deceased. These gentlemen were the publishers of the Chr(in'icle. Nathan 
Peeples advertises 337 '^ acres of land on Yellow Creek, three miles below the furnace, 
which shows that iron was made in this section of Tennessee at that earh' dav. and 
also that the early settlers had not neglected to plant orchards, the advertisement stating 
that •■ there is a good apple and peach orchard on the place, also a stone still-house 
with new log addition, making the house fifty feet in length, three stills and about si.xty 
tabs, and also a new horse-mill adjoining the distillery." The Chronicle advertises 
"Almanacs for the year 1818 for sale at this office," also "job work neatly executed at 
this office." James Hopkins, of New Orleans, offers $100 reward for a runaway negro 
man named Isaac. "Caldwell & Laird, boot and shoe makers, respectfully inform 
their friends and the public generally that they are keeping on hand a constant sujiply 
of the best materials suitable for all kinds of work in their line of business," etc. 
"James Blackwell has just received a quantity of good apjile brandy, which he offers 
for sale at the following prices for cash, by the gallon, $1.25; by the quart. 31 '_|.' cents; 
by the jjint, iSj^j^ cents; one-half pint, 12 >j cents." J. P). has also on hand a quantity 
of first-rate cider, "perhaps the best ever drank in Clarksville (but if you should not 
believe me call and taste for yourselves)," which he offers for sale as follows: For a 
gallon, 75 cents; for a quart, 25 cents, and so on. This advertisement presents a sin- 



'49 
gular fact in trad'j. that apjile cider was worth more than a|]|ile lirandy, considering 
the quantity of cider required to make a gallon of l)rand\-. If all the cider made at 
the present day could be sold for 75 cents per gallon, then there would be no ap]jle 
brandy at three dollars per gallon. The following advertisement also appears on the 
fourth page of this ancient little Chronicle, which was made to serve so many ends 
and so many counties: " My wife Polly having left my bed and board without any just 
cause, and has threatened to run me in debt, for the benefit of mvself and others notice 
is hereby given that I will not ]jav anv of her contrac ts, and I forewarn all jjersons 
from trading with her or harboring her, as I am determined to enforce the law as far 
as I can. December 26th, 1817. John Richards." This was one way rnen had for 
managing their wives in olden times. Mr. Richards simply intended to starve his wife 
out by threatening to prosecute anybody who furnished her shelter and board, and force 
her to return home and attend to the cooking, which was for the benefit of himself and 
others. Had Polly received any of the benefits, doubtless she would not have left. 
1'. I). Melton advertised $50 lost in Clarksville on the 6th inst., offering $10 rew-ard for 
the money, which was comprised in a $20 note on the State Bank of North Carolina, a 
$20 note on the IJank of Kentucky, and a $10 note on the Nashville Bank. Notice 
is given of the dissolution of the firm of Wall & Co., Dover, signed Henry Wall, 
Thomas M. Smith and John M. Smith; dated December 5, 1817. "Cash will be given 
for clean cotton and linen rags at this office," is what the proprietors of the Chronicle 
say, but it is not to be presumed that anybody was fooled by this notice, as country 
editors were never suspected of having money enough to pay for rags. A letter dated 
October 13th, 1S17, contains an account of the invasion fo the Island of Margarita, by 
(General .Morello, and terrible slaughter of men and destruction of property by the 
Spaniards. The second or editorial page of this interesting little sheet, is filled with 
Congressional proceedings, discussing a change of the laws regulating surveys, in regard 
to the islands of the Tennessee and other rivers, pensioning officers of the revolutionary 
war, the South America question, and the .\merican navy, which question was still 
u\) at the last session of Congress, and is likely to be present with the ne.xt general 
General .\ssembly. The local page begins with an article from the Zanesville (Ohio) 
A'fesse?tgei; discussing the Ohio paper currency. From the readiny of this article the 
conclusion is reached that there was not a sound currency bank in the country at that 
date. They w^ere all shaky, and it was difficult to keep the broken banks all in mind. 
The article begins: "The notes of unchartered banks (with one or two exceptions) are 
nearly all out of circulation. When we say out of circulattpii we do not mean that they 
have been called in and honorably redeemed. Far from it. Thou.sands and tens of 
thou.sands of them are scattered over the country and lie useless in the pockets of their 
possessors, who indulge the hope that at some future period they will pass. But before 
the unchartered banks are fairly put down, the chaT-tered banks begin to shake. The 
names of some of the banks are Wooster Bank, Parkersburg Bank, New Salem, Penn., 
gone hook and line; Granville, key lost; New Philadelphia Bank, rather short of cash; 
Owl Creek, this respectable institution .still exists, and the stockholders generally offer 



fifty cents good monty for one dolkir of Owl Creek (it appears that tlie owls started 
this bank for the purpose of feathering their nests); Canton, not chartered, maintaining 
its credit against all attacks; Mansfield, very scarce; Virginia Saline, as it was six 
months ago ; Perryopolis, or Glass Bottle, broke ! not even the pieces saved ; New Salem, 
Ohio, down; Steubenville F. & M., tew in circulation; (ierman Bank of VVooster, ot 
questionable stability. " The editor seems to think that the people "would" learn in 
the hard school of experience that three things were indispensably necessary to the 
institution and management of banks, to-wit. a solid capital, honesty in the directors, 
and prudent management, and he was correct. The banks of that time were nothing 
but swindling machines, notwithstanding the frequent reference to the good old days 
of the past. Following this, under date of New York, December 12th, 1817, is a 
stirring account of a destructive fire at St. Johns, New Foundland, which occurred on 
the 7th of November; news by the schooner Parker, Capt. Boyd, from Halifax, which 
fire destroyed 250 buildings, stores and dwelling houses; loss estimated at ^500,000 
to ;^i,ooo,ooo, 800 barrels of flour destroyed in one house, and the consequent suffer- 
ing of people from starvation ; all vessels to be had were chartered by the authorities to 
send the suffering people away to places where they could be provided for. Notice is 
given that Henry H. Bryan, William E. Williams, Sterling Neblett, Stephen Thomas 
and Stephen Cocke, Esquires, constitute the quorum to hold the Montgomery County 
Court for the present year. The paper learns that "the Marine of Algiers has reviveil 
and succeeded in capturing three Spanish, one Dutch and one Russian vessel in the 
Brittish Channel." An advertisement announces "private" entertainment, kept at the 
sign of the Bell, by Buckner &: Williams, Charlotte, Tenn. This paper has the column 
rules inxerted in mourning for Hon. Bennet Searcy, and contains his obituary in the 
fourth column of the third page. Judge Searcy was for years a distinguished citizen 
of Clarksville. He must have been here in the seventeens, and owned considerable 
property, which he sold, or some was sold at Sheriff's sale, when he moved to Nash- 
ville. His death left a cloud over the title of the property, which was settled by the 
Supreme Court only a few years ago at considerable expense to the present owners. 
The obituary is as follows: " Departed this life at Nashville, on Sunday, the nth inst.. 
after a short but painful illness, Bennet Searcy, Esq., Judge of the Fifth Judicial Cir- 
cuit. He was possessed of as many virtues, and as few vices, as are to be looked for 
amongst beings liable to err. During the time he filled the chair, in the capacity of 
judge, his decisions were impartial and always marked by a strict adherence to justice. 
It was in performing his duty he caught the disease which terminated his life. He was 
an affectionate husband, a tender father, and merciful master; his doors were always 
o])en to the weary, his hand never refused assistance to the needy, .^mong the circle 
of his relations and friends his loss will long be felt; tci the Ibrmer he was dear by rea- 
son of his warm and ardent affection, to the latter for his amiable i|ualities. But it 
must be a .source of consolation to them to know that if virtue entitles a man to a seat 
amongst the blest, he must be liapp}- ; then ye surviving friends weep not for his 
loss, but bow with submission to the will of Him who from seeming evil knows but 



to bring forth good, and from whose eternal anil unalterable fiat there is no 
appeal. 

The life of man and all of his greatest joys. 

Are the most frail of nature's frailest toys; 

Like rain drops trembling on the leafys pray, 

'I"he gale scarce breathes, and scatters them away." 

Sol. A. Kelrell publishes "an earnest reipiest" to his customers to pay up. Heyden 
K. Wells. Ranger, gives "last notice" to those indebted to the county for strays to pay 
up or he will send an officer. Cornelius Anderson, Administrator, advertises for sale 
four likely negroes belonging to the estate of William Dunlap, on McAdoo Creek. 
'• Pay the printer" is the heading of a spicy notice, the like of which can be found in 
most country papers at the present day, notwithstanding the country is now running 
on a I ash basis. Jacob Bright cautions all persons from trading for a note that he gave 
to H. W. Moore, dated July 26th, 1816, for $250, which he has paid. Then follows 
a long list of advertised letters, by James Elder, Postmaster, among which are many 
familiar names of the present day. C. D. McLean and Mary B. Searcy give notice 
as Administrators of Bennet Searcy, and also warn intruders against cutting timber on 
the Searcy lands. John Moore forewarns all persons against trading for a note on him 
for $15, payable to William Walker, because it was a fraud. The editor then winds 
up by announcing "blanks of all kinds for sale at the Chroniclk office," just the case 
now and will be for the next hundred years if the world stands. 

Up to 1826 there were but forty families in Clarksville, a population of 215 white 
people. In this number there were sixty-five unmarried men, eight unmarried women, 
and fifty-five children. The most reliable information concerning the early business 
history of Clarksville is obtained from Mr. A. L. (Sandy) Johnson, who is still living 
and has a vivid recollection of men and things. Mr. Johnson is now eighty-four years 
of age. He immigrated to this section in 1819, and made his first visit to Clarksville 
in 1820. At that time Hugh McClure was engaged in merchandizing in a small store 
just where the People's Warehouse now stands. He kept a small stock of mixed dry 
goods and groceries. John H. Poston perhaps had the largest store, located on the 
southwest corner of the scfuare, where now stands Couts' old furniture house. Dr. M. 
Rowley & Scott had a drug store on the site of the present handsome Tobacco Ex- 
change. Rowley & Scott sold out to Dr. P. F. Norflett in 1836, and in November 
of the same year Dr. Rowley bought out Dr. Norflett. A man by the name of Dailey 
ke])t a hotel on the site of John Young's harness shop, opposite the Market House. 
The old Court House stood on the present site of the Market House, and several shan- 
ties or whiskey saloons occupied places on the north side of the square. An old 
dela])idated blacksmith shop owned by Sam Wade occupied the present site of the 
.\lwell block, southeast corner First and Franklm streets; Mr. Horace D. Marshall, 
who is still active and living on the farm he settled in early life near Hampton's spring, 
was then a youth learning his trade in this shop. John Collins and partner were hat 
makers in a shoji below the present site of the Franklin House. Mr. Prouty had a 



152 

wool carding machine just hack of Dr. Rowley's drug store, fronting on the alley 
leading out down the river to the cemetery. Mr. Lyons had a saddle shop then, and 
a cotton gin stood on the present site of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. John 
Cain had a tailor shop on the north side of the sijuare, and charged $12 for making a 
coat. 

A little later Eli I.ockert opened a hotel where the Franklin House now stands. 
Ned Barker built a dry goods store and sold goods where Crusman's house now stands; 
he owned a numlier of lots in that bhu k. .Sam Lyons built the first two-story brick 
house that was ever erected in Clarks\ille. which was much talked of at the time as a 
progressive movement. The house was erected on the northwest corner of First antl 
Franklin streets, the corner now occujiied by Isaac Rosenfeld, or the site of the hard- 
ware house of Fox & Smith. 

Jack Hale soon became a prominent and popular personage as a saloon keeper 
and horse trader. Ned Barker and Thomas .Atkinson were among the first tobacco 
shippers, loading flat boats at Cumberland town (New Providence). Very soon An- 
drew Vance and John Dicks entered the shi])ping trade with the first steamboat ever 
controlled by Clarksville people. The (ieneral Green and the Ceneral Robertson 
were the only steamboats that navigated the Cumberland River up to 1822, when a 
new boat called the Nashville entered the trade. Tobacco shipping to New Orleans 
was done principally by flat boats up to about 1840. 

lames Elder, grandfather of John, Martiti and Earnest Elder, was postmaster here 
in 1818. He owned the sijuare of ground on which now stands the Elder block, 
between the square and First street, and Franklin and Main streets, and liveil in a 
small house on this lot. After the brick Court House was built on the sipiarc, it was 
decided to ojjen a street or alley through Mr. Elder's lot. AL's. Elder had a fine straw- 
berry patch in the garden, and the street was laid off through it, utterly destroying the 
bed and tlepriving the good lad}' of an early su])ply of delicious berries. She resisted 
the invasion with all the force that lieth in a woman's tongue. But the wicked city 
fathers closed their ears to all objections, and laid off the street, notwithstanding the 
amiable owner of the strawberry bed made the air hot around their heads with burning 
words, .\fter the street was laid off they named it •• Strawberry street,'' as a memorial 
to the hot spell of weather that prevailed in the garden while they were laying it off 
This street was soon after occupied by the ])rofessional men, lawyers, doctors, antl 
saloon keepers, and took the sobri(|uei of " Poverty Row." 

Samuel Hinton was among the early merchants, and sold out October 27, 1836, 
to Steijhen Neblett and Ben. J. Hintun. Colonel (ieorge Smith came here from ^\"il- 
son <;ounl\. Tenn., and was a |)artner in the dry goods business with T. \\". ISarksdale 
in New I'rmidence, in 1S31, and became associated with Mr. .Allen Johnson in the 
same l)usines.i in 1836. still gi\ ing his personal attention to a store in \Vilson count)' 
until 1841, when he moved to Clarksville. He mo\ed to Port Rojal, merchandizing, 
in 1844, and returned t.. Clarks\ille in 1834, taking charge of the Franklin House. He 
was elected Mavor in i8s8, serving four _\'ears, and also served two terms #s Count)- 



i5:i 

Trustee, ("dlonel Smith died here in 1864, in the 69th \ear ot" his ;ige. a true and 
noble man, honored and lined by everybody. 

After the red man was moved baek west of the Mississii)])! River and hostilities 
eeased. the eoiintr)' settled rapidly, and although there was not more than two or three 
houses on the road between Clarksville and Hadensville, the facilitie.s for cros.sing Red 
Ri\er b}- ferry failed to accommodate the |)eo|ile who turned their altenticui to Clarks- 
ville as a traLling and shipping point for toljacio. In busy seasons both banks ot the 
river woidd be lined with people, wagons and carts all da\', waiting for the slow hand 
ferry boat to set them across, and it was not until about 1829 that the first bridge was 
constructed o\er Red River to meet the demand. It ajijiears that this was the |)rivate 
enterprise of Hon. James 1!. Reynolds, the Irish fount, and was then as now a toll 
bridge, and became a little tub mill for its owner. In Xoveniber, i8^:;6, this bridge 
was condemned as imsafe, and Mr. Reynolds reiincjuished it to a committee composed 
of J. H. Poston, C. Crusman, Samuel Lynes, A. Vance. John Dicks and L. W. King, 
who employed Major McFall to repair the structtu'e, and gave the public a guarantee 
to keep it in fix for safe crossing until a new bridge could be built. Mr. Reynolds 
surrendered his charter with great reluctance, but did it on certain conditions for the 
good of the public, that a stock company with $18,000 to $20,000 capital might be 
organized to build a good safe bridge. 

The first market house erected was a small shanty, or four jxists in the grmnid to 
sufjport a roof, which was located on the lower end of the square. It was used until 
the back end or first part of Washington Hotel was erected, and stood in front of that 
building, now the site of People's Warehouse. In the Spring of 1837 the Board of 
Mayor and .Mdermen appointed Saul McFall, G. A. Davie and G. A. Henry a com 
mittee to let out the contract and superintend the building of a new market house. 
The contract specified that the house should be 50 feet by 27 feet and built on brick 
jiillars. This house stood on First street, between Franklin and Strawberry streets, 
about fifteen feet from Crusman's present building. The old Washington Hotel was 
probably built about 1825 or '26, as there were then two hotels. P. Gibson occupied 
the Washington Hotel up to December loth, 1836, when he sold out to ('•. A. Davie 
and Marius Hansbrough. Soon after this Davie bought out his partner and became 
sole proprietor. Public balls were fashionable in those days, and there were frequent 
occasions for a fancy ball at the Washington Hotel. Balls were more frequented than 
churches, and it was not until 1831 that the pioneer Methodist raised the gospel stan- 
dard and erected a church in Clarksville. Balls were principally for the elite society 
and classified to suit the character of guests wanted. Jewel-decked ladies and claw- 
hammer gentlemen were scarcely expected at a dollar ball. A three dollar ball admitted 
all classes of gentlemen who couH raise the cash, and afforded a general mingling, but 
the five dollar balls and waxed floors were intended exclusively for the upper ten ; 
elegant ladies, and gentlemen in silk hats, clawhammer or pigeon-tail coats with brass 
buttcms, and diajiiond breast-pins. Ladies were invited and admitted free ; gentlemen 
«ere also invited, but had to walk up to the l)ar and buy a ticket before entering the 



154 
bill-room. A hotel then was not complete without a ball-room and a bar-room, to fur- 
nish spirits for the weary traveler and festive gentleman. 

From 1835 to 1840 Clarksville exhibited coni^iderable enterprise and received a 
new impetus, and in 1846 had 1,128 population. In 1837 the wharf was built (steam- 
boat landing macadamized) by a chartered company. Thompson Greenfield, who 
was then a public-spirited merchant and very useful man. was treasurer of the company 
and made a call for first installment of stock July 17th, 1837. T. W. Barksdale was a 
prominent merchant and figured' conspicuously in the affairs of Clarksville. .\mong 
other important movements he was Secretary of the Clarksville and Russellville Turn- 
pike C"o., chartered in 1839. Barksdale & Cheatham was a dry goods firm here in 
1833. '1'"^ fi''"'' of Wm. (Ireenfield. Cromwell & Co. was dissolved November ist, 
1835, by the death of Wm. Creenfielil, and the firm of Barksdale & Cromwell suc- 
ceeded; Mr. Barksdale went out .September ist, 1836, and Ale.x. H. Cromwell closed 
the business of the two firms. Thomas E. Blake and Thomas M. Duff bought the 
store of Peacher & Caldwell in April, 1837. Goods were sold on twelve months' 
credit then, and a merchant or anybody who had credit could engage in business, but 
it was only those who had plenty of money and much discretion that could maintain 
themselves over a year ; consequ-ently there were frequent changes to bridge over, one 
merchant giving another twelve months to administer on his estate. John D. Bradley 
was Postmaster in 1838, and the advertised letter list was larger then than now, so few 
ever thought of calling for their mail. In a long list of still familiar names, is a gen- 
tleman who was here further back than the oldest inhabitant can remember, who is 
still here, and evidentiy "come to stay." The gentleman referred to is Mr. John 
Smith, who is still fresh and likely to welcome the next generation. 

McClure & Galbraith was a prominent business firm in 1836. On the 30th of June 
that year they advertised the arrival of their new and very large stock, consisting of 
twelve hogsheads of sugar, thirty sacks of coffee, 1,000 pounds of loaf sugar, and two 
pipes of cognac and champagne brandy. 

W. Fowler, perhaps, established the first jewelry store in Clarksville about 1836 
or 1837. He was a shrewd, eccentric old bachelor, and with all was good natured, 
popular and successful. Those well acquainted with him enjoyed joking and ridiculing 
him about his single blessedness, which he took in good humor, persisting in his eccen- 
tricity and shunning the ladies. Finally the old gentleman announced his intention of 
marrying; nobody believed it, in fact no one believed any woman would have him, 
but every doubting Thomas, who was regarded as honorable and good for his contracts, 
was allowed to step up to the counter and buy a watch and chain, at double price, 
payable when the proprietor of the store should take to himself a nb. Mr. Fowler 
soon sold out his stock of watches on this proposition, brought on another stock which 
was disposed of in the same way, and gold watches and fob chains were common at 
every meeting house in the country on Sunday ; men who were not in the habit of 
attending the gospel warnings became regular church-goers, occupying pious seats, to 
advertise Mr. Fowler's jewelry store. The old gentleman concluded that his scheme 



'55 
was really a first-class missionary enterprise; nevertheless, after carrying the joke as far 
as practicable, he went off and married a nice lady, and then (ailed on the gentlemen 
to pay up. Purchasers never joked Mr. F'owler after that. l>ut their long faces and 
fancy fob chains became standing advertisements for the old man's jewelry shop. 
Several years after this Mr. Fowler sold out, leaving Clarksville about 1846. He 
built two houses about where Kincannon, Son & Co. 's store now stands, which was 
known as Fowler's Hall. 

Samuel H. Northington and John Duke were the first cabinet makers, commencing 
business here June i6th, 1836. Mr. Northington is still here, the popular proprietor 
of the Northington House, esteemed for his plain manners, honest and upright course. 
He is a better success as hotel-keeper than a cabinet-maker, keeps a good house and 
receives a large patronage. 

Thomas Kemp was the first sign and ornamental painter that any account is had 
of. H. P. Carney & Co. were in some kind of business in 1839. They advertised 
ten bo.xes of glass, 8x10 and io\i2, as just received, in a manner as if thought sufficient 
to stock the country. 

Very little is known of the change in business, the new men coming aiid enterprise 
of the town between 1823 and 1836. Mr. Sandy Johnson, in his reminiscences of 
1820 to 1823, had but slight acquaintance with men and things in town. He was en- 
gaged in cutting saw-logs, sawing lumber and building flat-boats for Stephen Pettus, 
who had an old-fashioned upright or sash saw mill on West Fork, where the New York 
Mills now stand, and followed the business of boat building. Mr. Pettus paid him $8 
per month for such work, and he had to pay fifty cents per yard for domestic for shirts 
and $1 per yard for home-made jeans for coat and pants. In 1823 he made a trip to 
New Orleans on a flat-boat which he had built for Mr. Pettus, and on his return com- 
menced in the iron works to learn the forger's trade. He was then twenty-two years 
old, and it required so much domestic and jeans to keep him in clothes that he was 
kept constantly at work, and was not much about town, as most of the country boys 
are nowadays. Thomas F. Pettus, son of Stephen Pettus, who distinguished himself 
in an honorable successful business career as a inan of great enterprise and worth to 
the community, was two years old at the time Mr. Johnson commenced work building 
boats for his father (born 1818). He has been dead eleven years, passing away at the 
height of noontide splendor, while the successful old man of the forest, knight of the 
forge hammer, and cultivator of the soil, is still here hale and hearty, enjoying 
the blessings of well-to-do, happy children around him. The first business venture by 
Thomas F. Pettus was with C. Myrtle, June 7th, 1837, at nineteen years of age, when 
Myrtle & Pettus bought out T. H. Trice & Brother, merchants, at New Providence. 
This partnership did not continue long. Pettus moved to Kentucky Landing and there 
engaged in the tobacco business till 1844, when he returned to New Providence and 
became the life and soul of that place until his death in 1875. He was the inspiration 
of the New Pro.vidence Savings Institution, and President of the bank up to his death; 
was also a leading s])irit in establishing the New Providence Tobacco Market, which 



'56 
sn iiL-arly (li\ iilcd honors with C'larksville during his life, and until Hopkinsville Market 
was estabhshed. breaking down New Providence. ^ He was also extensively engaged in 
milling and other enterprises, and was Vice-President of the Clarksville Tobacco Board 
of Trade wjun he died. His hand was found in every good cause and public en- 
terjjri.sc, and his life full of honors. Mr. Pettus was twice married, his first wife 
being Martha Cowherd, a X'irginia lady. To them were born six children, the eldest 
being John .\. IV-ttus, now one of the leading enterprising men of t'larksville. His 
second wife was .\re.ina C. Hibl), who still survives and occupies one of the handsomest 
residences on Madison street. 'l"o them onlv one son was born. 

Moore & Broaddus was a prominent business house of Clarksville in 1837. Thev 
advertised on May 26th of that year correcting a report that had gained circulation to 
the effect that they -'would not take such money as Planters', Union, Memphis or 
\catman. Woods eS: Co.'s Banks." It is very evident that the currency of that 
day did not enjoy full . onfidence, and tho.se who possessed much of it did not sleep 
sweetly, but it was the best the people had, and the best thing to do was to keep it in 
circulation, no man being willing to keep it long. S. A. Sawyer, now the head of the 
great firm of Sawyer, Wallace & Co., New N'ork, was about this time a prominent mer- 
( hant of C'larksville, taking his start iiere which has led to fame and fortune in the 
commercial world. Robert M. House & Co. opened the first exclusive wholesale and 
retail grocery house in Clarksville. Mr. House was a half-brother of Hon. John F. 
House, the present distinguished citizen, and w:as one of the most popular men that 
ever did business in Clarksville. This exclusive venture in groceries alone was made 
.March i8th, 1837. .\ man named Barrett was probably his partner in business. The 
hrm found popular tavor. and supplied groceries to merchants of all the towns East as 
tar as Bowling Creen. and for fifty miles around. The firm did not exist over twelve 
months. House buying out his partner and continuing business alone. His house was 
located on the site of the Freeh building, or that of John Hurst & Co., and the street 
Irom March till June was daily crowded with wagons, which, after unloading tobacco, 
stood all day waiting to be loaded at House's store with groceries for the interior. It 
IS \ery common now to hear old men refer to those good old days of honest Bob 
House, belore railroads were built, and when the town was prosperous and enjoying 
more trade from away back in the country than now. .\ comparison with the business 
of the present would show that there are se\eral grocery houses now, either one of 
which is doing more business than all of the houses in town at that day, when the en- 
tire trade ot the back country was commanded. For instance, here is an advertisement 
of R. M. House, March 18th, 1837, heralding to the country the arrival of an immense 
stock of groceries, just received per steamboat John Randolph from New Orleans, as 
follows : Twenty hogsheads prime sugar, one hundred sacks coffee, fifteen barrels loaf 
sugar, five barrels white clarified sugar, 120 sacks L blown salt, 30,000 Havana cigars, 
twenty-five boxes imported and Young Hyson tea, two tierces fresh rice, twenty-five 
boxes sperm candles, two boxes Cosby's H. D. tobacco, ten baskets champagne wine, 
ten boxes cham|)agne cider, two pijies champagne brandy, two pipes cognac brandy, 



•57 
ten barrels French brandy, one [lut old Jamaica rum, ten barrels N. E. rum, one pijje 
Holland gin, five barrels Boston gin, one cask Old Madeira wine, five barrels Canary 
wine, ten barrels Malaga wine, five barrels Teneriffe wine, fifty boxes claret wine, 
twentv boxes Muscat wine, one barrel Co|)en brandy, fifteen boxes cordials, 3,000 
boxes table salt, fifty reams wrapping paper, five boxes pineapple cheese, twenty boxes 
shaving soap, five boxes sarsaparilla syrup, five boxes lemon and ginger syrup. Pepper, 
s]iices. cloves. &c.. completes this large wholesale stock purchased as the principal 
sup|)ly for the large scope of cc)untr\- trading at Clarksville, and perhaps Mr. House 
had more of such goods tlian all of the other houses combined. McClure, Gal- 
braith & C"o. soon entered into competition with House, buying large stocks, but they 
did not continue long. Mr. House continued in the business until his death. .Some 
years before his demise he took in partnership with him a young man named John 
I vie, from Robertson county, who had been a faithful clerk in the house, and after- 
wards married his oldest daughter, Miss Columbia House, the reigning belle of Clarks- 
ville. Mr. Ivie succeeded House & Ivie. 

Patterson & Flinn was a new tailoring firm here in 1836. This was undoubtedly 
the identical Billy Patterson that w-as struck by .somebody at a muster gathering, but 
the tjuestion w-ho struck him has not yet been answered. Samuel McFall was one of 
the most valued citizens of Clarksville along in the twenties and thirties. He was 
everybody's man for everything, and nothing was considered well done that he did not 
have a hand in. He was a carj'enter by trade, was superintendent of street work, 
prominent in all town affairs, county affairs, the courts, a leader in the church, a man 
of level head and big heart. Mr. James A. Clrant, in his reminiscences of the olden 
times, remarks that "Major McFall was one of the oldest and most respected citizens 
of that day. He was County Court Clerk for a long term of years, and made an excel- 
lent official. He was an extremely kind-hearted man, and was broken up by going 
security for others. He gave up home, negroes, land and money to jjay securitv 
debts, which left him a poor man in old age. He died a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church, of which Dr. Ridley was pastor at the time. He was indeed a ' man 
in whom there was no guile.'" Mr. Grant continues: "Many years ago Mr. Paris 
Peter, now a farmer in Washington county, Ky. , came to this city to work at carpen- 
tering with Major Samuel McFall. The Major was an excellent workman himself, but 
it turned out that the young mechanic was superior to any he had ever employed. Al! 
wood work was done by hand in those days. An order came to have a geometrical 
stairway put up, and Mr. Peter was asked if he could do such work. He said he 
( (luld, but as the Major was not an expert himself on such jobs, he was loth to give 
him the work. Mr. Peter did the work in a manner that elicited the notice and 
admiration of all people, and from that day until he left the city he stood at the head 
of his class. Mrs. Jas. E. Baileys residence on Ma'dison street, for durability, neatness 
of finish and design, stands a monument to his good workmanship. He was a gallant 
Confederate soldier through the war, after which he married, bought the old family 
homestead near Mackville, Ky., and has since been cultivating the soil. " 



Horse racing was a very common s]jort along in the thirties, and a good track was 
kept up in Rev River bottom east of the Russellville bridge, where Mr. James P. Ciill 
now keeps up a track for training his trotting and pacing horses. It was only the 
nabobs in those days who could afford blooded horses and indulge in racing, and those 
aspiring to the higher rank of aristocracy felt the importance of owning a race horse, 
even if sure of getting beat every time. Wood Lawn Jockey Club was the style of the 
organization. The following names composed the board of directors signed to a call 
for a meeting of the club at the Washington Hotel on the first Monday in June, 1837 : 
A. M. McLean, Reuben Pollard, James Hinton, Spottswood Smith, E. L. McLean, 
Upton Organ, Wm. Rogers and .Ste]jhen Neblett. .After the meeting the following 
announcement was made: ".A race. \ sweepstake to be run over the Red River 
course, near Clarksville. Mile heats, $100 play or pay, free only for three-year-olds, 
to close and name by 20th of .August, and to come off first day of September next 
(1837), three or more to make a race." The second day announced for two-year-olds 
single dash mile heats, same terms as for three-year-olds on first day. Such was the 
leading sport for many years, the effect of which was the introduction of fine animals, 
the best strains of blood developing fine horses of great endurance. The trotting horse 
was not recognized then — it was the fastest horse, the one that could "'git there'" first. 
Later on, however, the racing blood was crossed on the imported Arabian pacing 
horses, which has led to so great speed and endurance in trotting horses of the ))resent 
day. 

The horse racers, however, did not ha\e things altogether their own way and 
enjoy all the honors of doing good for the county and their fellowmen, while enjoying 
the excitement and fun. The ladies were on hand then as now with their church fairs 
and suppers, and have rather gained the day of popular favor, since church festival 
invitations are much more frequent in the country than horse racing announcements. 
Church suppers got deeper into men's pockets then than now, because, perhaps, 
oysters were scarcer and more costly than now, and the mothers of the present 
generation had not learned how to make fifteen gallons of soup out of one dozen of 
oysters. It also appears that the ladies exercised sufficient authority over their liege 
lords to have them take hold and manage the fairs. About the same time that the 
horse races are announced in the old Chronicle, the ladies' fairs are also advertised, 
as follows: The Ladies" Third Annual Fair will be celebrated in Clarksville on Thurs- 
day, the nth of May next (1837) at Masonic Hall. In addition to the sale of useful 
and fancy articles, there will be a confectionery and fruit stall kept, and a handsome 
supper provided for visitors and citizens generally. Tickets to supper, $1.00; to the 
fair, 25 cents. Managers — T. W. Frazer, I. Dennison, G. A. Henry, R. W. (lal- 
braith, C. Williams, A. M. Clayton, W. K. Turner, J. C. Miller, A. Vance, G. Mc- 
Daniel. 

Mr. William R. Bringhurst, Sr. , established the first carriage factory in Clarksville 
about 1829 or 1830, introducing the old Prince Albert .style with the wooden dash 
bo.ird made high and handsomely curved, and bed with many curves and cuts to give 



159 
it style, and tiien lieavily ironed to secure strength and durability. Peo])le then rarely 
used buggies and carriages, or dearborns, as they were called, except for riding to 
church on Sunday. A Bringhurst buggy would last a farmer a lifetime, and a few of 
these old-style vehicles are in use yet, being kept up by repairs and preserving the 
shape and style. His first shop was located in the country, that is, about where the 
water w(irks tank now stands on Franklin street. Later he moved in town, occupying 
a house on the north side of the Public Square, above the old Planter's House, where 
Mr. Boiling, the tailor, now lives, and continued business at this stand up to 1861, the 
breaking out of the war of the States. Mr. Bringhurst possessed many peculiarities 
and noble qualities of head and heart. Strict integrity and honest dealings with every- 
body was his motto : his friendshi]) was open-hearted, warm and generous, and his dis- 
like e(pially notable. He had no way of concealing his contempt for a man whose 
course was not fully up to his standard of integrity and loyal friendship. Hypocrisy 
nor even policy, had any place in his composition, and if a inan treated him amiss he 
had a way of letting him feel his contempt, and wouldn't spend five minutes to sell a 
buggy to a man he disliked. In fact he didn't like to see a mean man riding in one 
of his buggies, and the money of such a fellow kept his pockets too hot ; on the other 
extreme he never forgot a friend. He possessed a liberal education and strong intel- 
lect, and was prominent in all the affairs of country. State, city and church, a good 
worker for public good wherever his enthusiasm led him, and notwithstanding his 
eccentricities, no man had more true, warm friends. At a critical period in life mis- 
fortune overtook him, perhaps from extending long credit, and he gave up all he 
possessed to his creditors, when that noble man and great public benefactor, William 
M. Stewart, came to his relief and started him anew. Mr. Bringhurst was fond of 
literature and newsiiapers, and enjoyed writing sketches occasionally for the press. 
He was a forcible writer and always saw the ludicrous in everything, giving his articles 
an out-cro]jping of rich humor which made his writings very popular with the reading 
public. Mr. Bringhurst was born in 1804, in Germantown, Penn., of English parents, 
anil died at his home on Main street, now the residence of C. D. Bailey, March, 1880. 
He came here from Germantown in 1828, and frequently told with a good deal of zest 
his adventure and accidental location in Clarksville. He contended that a dog decided 
his fate, or caused him to locate here, but it is very apparent that a woman had some- 
thing to do with the matter. The dog may have led him to the place, as the faithful 
animal is often trained to lead the blind, but it was the charms of a lovely girl that 
sealed his destiny, and riveted his feet to the soil of Clarksville. The story as he told 
it is a pleasing circumstance worth recording. He started out from Germantown for 
the then Far West, a young man full of vigor and promise, seeking a home where he 
might grow up with the country.' His first stop was at Cincinnati, where he was much 
pleased with the outlook, but determined to go further and see more of the country. 
From there he went to Nashville, but was not so well pleased, and determined to return 
to Cincinnati and invest all his money in a certain piece of land he had picked out, 
which is just about the heart of the city now. At Nashville a warm friendshi]) s])rung 



i6o 
up between himself and another gentleman who perhaps was also prospeeting and had 
about decided to settle in Nashville. He took a strange liking to a fine Newfoundland 
dog that followed his new-made friend around, and showing his fondness for the dog 
the stranger made him a jiresent of the animal, which of course was highly appreciated. 
\Vhen he started back the dog afforded him much pleasure on his return down the 
Cumberland, as well as a pleasing recollection of his friend. The ver\- instant the 
boat landed at the Clarksville wharf, the dog jumped off and ran uj) the hill before he 
was disco\ered by his owner. No amount of whistling and calling would bring him 
iiack, and the young Pennsyhanian resolutely followed, thinking he would catch his 
dog before the boat was ready to lea\e, as the captain said he had to take on a lot of 
freight. But losing sight of the dog he chased it from house to house, all over the 
town, and fuialh- caught u[) with the object of his search and distress, but too late to 
leave. The boat was gone and he was bound to lay over till the next trip, and decided 
to take things easy but keep a closer watch on that dog. The style of coat and tip of 
his hat, as well as the brogue of his tongue, told that he was an Eastern youth taking 
in the wilds of the West, and he was free to tell tiie curious who inquired from whence 
lie came. •■ .\h, yes." replied a gentleman : ■■ ( ilad to have you Pennsylvanians come 
here among we North Carolinians and Virginians. We have a beautiful young lady 
liere from your State teaching music, and she charms everybody. We are all in love 
with her." This was glad news to the young adventurer. He would have been glad 
to meet any one from his own State for com])anionship among strangers, but more par- 
ticularly so lovely a creature as the lady in question had been described, and at once 
sought an acquaintance with Miss Julia Huling, from Harrisburg. Thev met, and the 
](leasant greeting soon ripened into a warm and familiar friendshi]). .\h ! the half had 
not been told him of the lovelv girl from Pennsylvania who delighted ever\"l"iod\' with 
her sweet music, graceful manners and entertaining ease, and the young man who had 
thus been so strangely led to a strange, unheard-of place among strangers, soon found 
a sweet, irresistible influence stealing over him, a charm from which he could not. if 
he desired. ha\ e escaped. The dog no longer interested him save tor the pleasant 
recollection of a kind tViend and the circumstance which brought him to Clarksville. 
The boat came and went, and still the young gentleman from the East lingered, un- 
conscious of any attractions he had found in Cincinnati. No breeze there had ever 
wafted such sweet perfumes as the fragrance brought by the zephyrs of the placid 
Cumberland from the beautiful wild flowers that blossomed along its shores, no strains 
from the Queen City's concert hall were half so ravishing to his ear as the sweet notes 
that fell from the li|)s of Clarksville's lovely song bird. The truth is, the young man 
was in love. He had been completely captivated and didn't know himself nor the dog 
any longer, and ne\er could tell what become of the dog. The sentiment was warmly 
reciprocated, and the two lovers from the old State, whom destiny had so strangely 
thrown together in a far-off village of the West, spent many happy evenings roaming 
the hillsides, where the gladsome smiles of a thousand sweet wild flowers welcomed 
their footsteps ; and no ])lace so delightful as a seat on the moss-covered liank around 



i6t 
Poston's Spring, where the woodland birds mingled their sweetest lays with the mnsit 
of rijjpliiig water as it gushed from the bank, gliding over the rugged stones that lay in 
the way. All nature was in its glory, and Poston's Spring, being a public resort, was 
a fitting time and place for lovers to meet and drink in the fullness of love's tender 
passion, calling upon heaven to witness their plighted vows. \\'illiam R. Bringhurst 
and Julia Huling were soon married, and settled down to spend their lives for each 
other's hapjiiness in Clarksville. To them were born si.\ children, three sons and three 
daughters : Robert, the eldest, was killed ni the battle of Franklin, in the war between 
the States ; Edward S.. William R., Mrs. Rebecca Plummer, Mrs. Ellen Poston and 
Mrs. Julia Scott. Mrs. Julia Bringhurst died, and the man whose life she had blessed 
and made happy was left disconsolate. .After some time had elapsed he determined to 
try to better his situation by regaining that tender companionship of a loving wife, the 
loss of which he so keenly felt, and sought the hand of Miss Virginia Manlove, of 
Robertson county, was acce|)ted, and to them were l)orn two sons. The last wife still 
survives, living on her farm in Robertson county. Among the many pleasing sketches 
and reminiscences written by Mr. Bringhurst, the following description of a free fight 
in Clarksville will be relished by the readers of this book : 

As there are but few persons here of the present generation who have witnessed 
the e.xcitement, or modus operandi, of a fire fight, or even comprehend the meaning of 
the expression, I beg leave to give a reminiscence of one to which I was an eye-witness 
from beginning to end, and can never be erased from memory. In the early settle- 
ment of the country, there was but little commerce, and the facilities for promoting it 
were very limited; hence the people had but little energy. They wanted but little of 
this world's goods, and with that little were contented. Scattered throughout a wooded 
and thinly populated country, their greatest ambition and pleasure was to meet each 
other in crowds on public occasions. Militia musters, the first day of court, and the 
election, were familiar phrases, and deeply impressed on the mind of every man in the 
country. Their arrival was hailed with an e.xhuberance of joy — almost everybody at- 
tended them, whether on business or not, and Clarksville was, of course, the centre of 
attraction ; not only to the citizens of Montgomery, but to the counties adjacent. 
Thither they repaired in great numbers at stated periods. Drinking whisky was so 
universal in those days that every family kept it on hand, not onl}- for their own use 
but to lie prepared to set it out to regale their friends and visitors, and not to do so 
was considered selfish and unfriendly. Hence all drank, some little, others much, and 
many to e.xcess ; but a man was never considered to be drunk until he lay uppn his 
back and felt upward for the grass. At the stated periods alluded to immense crowds 
gathered together at the county seat. All came on horseback, and frec[uently two or 
three on one horse. The Public Square was the place to meet with everybody. In 
the forenoon they extended to each other the friendly grasp of hands, inquiring after 
each other's health, of their families and friends, but more especially drinking whisky 
and swapping horses. The jargon of sounds became almost deafening, especially at 
the "groceries" — tippling houses. In the afternoon the effects of whisky became 



l62 

visible in the confusion of tongues, and this was the prelude to and portentous of a 
free fight. On the first Saturday in March, 1836 — the first election under the new 
constitution — there might have been seen two individuals in a dilapidated condition, 
each holding on to a post respectively, with death-like tenacity. For a long time they 
made fruitless efforts to exerci.se their belligerent ]iropensities, though the posts were 
not more than ten feet apart, and they well knew that if they let go their equilibrium 
would be lost. Finally one of the party made a des|)erate charge at the breast-works 
of his neighbor. This was the electric spark which ignited a free fight on a stupendous 
scale. In a few moments it was known to every one on the .Scjuare, and a terrible 
rush made toward the scene of action. Mechanics left their work; clerks and store- 
keepers jumped over their counters; teamsters left their teams and followed suit. The 
fearful excitement drew every one from every quarter of the town. Snatching up 
sticks, brickbats and every other available missile, they "pitched in." The battle 
waxed hot and spread with such unanimity of sentiment that it seemed as though it had 
been caused by spontaneous combustion. One individual seemed to be more promin- 
ent than any other in the crowd. This was E. B. R e. He was a respectable 

citizen of Clarksville, past middle age, of large rotundity and portly main, neat in 
dress, with ruffles largely protruding from his breast, and armed with a heavy black 
cane. Thus he voluntarily left his ]ilace of liusiness and sallied forth to mingle in the 
fray. His whereabouts in the fight was always known by the black cane, ever and 
anon towering above the heads of the combatants like a threshing flail, and coming 
down like a sledge hammer upon the luckless pates of those who happened to be under 
it. The fight accumulated in fury, and in numbers from reinforcements momentarily 
arriving at the scene of action, and the crowd became immense. Pandemonium itself 
might have blushed in contradistinction to the roar of battle. John Barleycorn, who 
raised the whirlwind, did not neglect to direct the storm. His voice was heard above 
the confusion, and clashing of sticks and brickbats, like unto a serpent of a thousand 
tongues. There were engaged in the melee fathers, sons, brothers, magistrates, con- 
stables, &c. , everybody, each fully conscious that he was engaged in the laudable 
cause oi self-defense, for each man's hand was compelled to be against every other man, 
as every other man's hand was against him, for there were no sides to be taken, and 
each one fought "on his own hook." As a consequence there was no rear, but all 
front. The mighty mass of bone and muscle swayed to and fro, and whirled like unto 
a forest in a storm. Brickbats, stones, &c., flew thick and fast, and fell far beyond the 
scene of action, until at last the fight had spent its fury, physical strength became ex- 
hausted, and a calm took place as simultaneously as the fight had begun, as if by the 
tacit consent of every individual who had been engaged. A spectacle now presented 
itself which to describe will not do justice to the realty. Although there were none 
killed, yet many were hurt, some with disheveled hair and distorted countenances, and 
some with bloody faces and hands. Many were convulsed with laughter, while others 
who went into the fight with long-tailed coats came out with roundabout jackets, and 
without hats. It may appear singular that among the debris on the batde ground there 



1 63 
were no gouged eyes found, no ears and noses bitten off, and no fingers "chawed 
up," for these accomplishments did not belong to nor were they resorted to in a " free 
fight." Scarcely liad there been time to make a survey of the battle ground when a 
sipuul made a rush at a teamster, who was a stranger, and had been in the engagement. 
He cut one of his horses loose, and, mounting, fled as if for life. He needed no 
spurs, as the flying trac e chains accelerated his speed to such a degree that he soon 
left his pursuers far in the rear. Whether he ever returned for his wagon and team is 
not known. I met my old friend of the ruffled shirt coming out of the crowd, very 
much dilapidated in his wardrobe, but otherwise apparently unhurt, as though he had 
been miraculously preserved, yet his corpulency breathed like a blacksmith's bellows. 
His ruddy face sweat profusely. I asked him, " What business had you in the fight?" 
"Oh," he replied, with a laugh, "I always take a hand in it when 1 see it going 
on." In the meantime one of the worshipful magistrates had quietly taken his seat on 
the tribunal of justice in the court-house near at hand. He issued his mandate to 
arrest his fellow-citizens and vindicate the majesty of a violated law. One of the con- 
stables aro.se in the crowd and proclaimed in a stentorian voice: "Oh, yes! oh, yes! 
gentlemen, all of you, walk into the court-house before 'Squire Blunt." Their cheerful 
and prompt compliance exhibited the best test of loyalty to a government ever known. 
They all, with one accord (hundreds) followed the constable into court, with as much 
docility as a flock of sheep would follow their shepherd in the fold. But they were 
conscious that they were freemen, and in that capacity had that day exercised the right 
of suffrage, untrammeled and unawed. The court proceeded. The crowd was 
charged with having broken the peace and setting at naught the dignity of tlie State, 
by malice aforethought, with sticks, stones, bricks, swords, guns and blunderbusses, 
&c.,&c. The all-im|)ortant question to be duly answered now came up, viz: "Who 
struck Billy Patterson?" The witnesses being also defendants, it was as impo.ssible to 
answer that question then as it is at this day. Consequently they were cleared by 
wholesale, by s(|uads and companies, on the ground of justifiable self-defense. Squads 
after another were successively arraigned and acquitted, until by some means or other 
there remained yet one individual untried, and who did not make himself very con- 
spicuous, for he was the very man the law was in search of, and was not very anxious 
to run any risk. Just as his name had been called the bell at the hotel rang for supper. 
Court implicitly obeyed the summons and adjourned until candle light. Court met 
accordingly. The court-house was jammed with an anxious crowd. The prisoner's 
name was re-called. His was a peculiar position, like being between hawk and buz- 
zard : he was in danger of paying the penalty for all that had taken place, for beyond 
any doubt he was the man who struck the first blow, but as that witness had never 
been summoned or called, he did not consider it his duty to volunteer in "making 
himself generally useful" on this occasion. The "prisoner, feeling solitary and alone, 
and knowing he had set this ball in motion, appealed for aid in the defense. Wiley 
B. Johnson, Esq., was chosen and vociferously called for by the crowd, and the excite- 
ment was great. The counsel for defendant appeared, and in his inimitable strain of 



t64 
forensic elcxiuenre, riveted tlie attention of the court and the crowd. He athiiitted the 
fact, patent to all men. that defendant had been fighting, hut it was without malice 
aforethought, and that he had fought only in stif-dffciisc, and manfully, too. Self- 
defense being an inherent principle in the human breast, it was to be expected that 
every gentleman would exercise it, and therefore justifiable in the civil law. At the 
conclusion the court announced d:at he thought so too, and pronounced ••not guilty," 
as he had previously done with everv other one. At the termination of the whole 
scene a deafening shout of approval went up from the whole crowd, and they wended 
their way home as best they could, but in a gleeful humor. .\s to the 'Squire, he had 
been looking through too many glasses that day, and therefore the court did not know 
itself on that occasion. Thus ended the last "free fight in Clarksville." 

Louis G. Williams was prominently connected with the business interests of Clarks- 
\ille in 1837, perhaps earlier, and for many years after. He was an active, public 
spirited man, and exercLsed a wide influence. Vance & Dicks dissolved partnership 
in 1837, and Caldwell & ^"ance became partners, dealing m leather and manufacturing 
negro shoes. Sam A\ade. the early blacksmith of the ])lace, sold out December 15th, 
1835, and engaged in farming on the Keysburg road, twebe miles out, on the place 
now owned by Mrs. Murphy, adjoining the J. B. Killebrew farm. R. P. Henry, 
H. L. Bailey and (1. F. Henry opened the first regular or exclusive clothing store 
known in Clarks\ille. They were engaged in such business in 1837. and nothing more 
i^ known of them. Burrell Hooper and B. F. McKesson were the rival tailors of that 
dav. J. r. and J. C. Connelly came later and opened a tailor shop in 1838, in the 
old frame house on the south side of the Square, which was l;)urned down in 1870. The 
Connellys stayed here till about 1845 or 1850. 

The country was glorying in its ra])id development and new civilization about this 
time. All the surplus produce for fifty to seventy-five miles back was hauled to the 
river for shipment, and the people likewise received their groceries, dry goods and 
other supplies by river transportation ; a railroad was not dreamed of, and steamboats 
were the only dependence for carrying on commerce. There were twenty-four steam- 
boats registered in the Cumberland River trade in 1837, and the number increased up 
to the date of railroading. In 1S38 and 1839 there were forty-three steamboats making 
trips to Clarks\ille and Nash\ ille. The names of the boats registered in 1837 were: 
Glad id for. Mt. I'cruon, Bolivci . McuipJiis, Ci(mbcrland, Emigrant. Auis/ivillc, Buffalo, 
li'ati-rhh'. Tciiiicssfijn. Boikv J/o//n/<ii/i. foliii Raiidolpli. Daniel M'cbstcr. Xativc, Shy- 
lod-:. Erin. W. L. Robinson. Xew Yorl:. Lady Jacl;son, Dayton. Lilly, Detroit, Passenger 
and Constellation. The Randolph. If'ebster and Robinson were perhaps the largest 
steamers in the river, as it was seldom they could go as high up as Nashville for lack 
of water. In Februarv. 1839, the /I'lni Randolph left the Clarksville wharf for New 
Orleans with 864 hogsheads of tobacco, and took on 100 more at Eddyville, the largest 
cargo of tobacco ever carried from any port in the western country. In 1839 the fol- 
lowing additional steamers were registered in the trade: Hermitage, Tusciimbia, Laurel, 
Josiah Sichol, Smithland, Gallatin, Hugh L. White, Delaivare, Jim Brotcn, Dover, 



i65 

Tolido. Reserve, Maryhiiui, Loyal IJaiiiiiih. Smelter. J'eklii, Home. Sultan and L'larki- 
I'ille. In 1S40 and 1S41 some twenty-five more steamers entered the Cumberland, 
making sixty-eight, though it is probable that several of the older boats not named in 
the list had dro])e(l out, while the Randolph and other large boats came only when the 
ri\er was high. Those added to the list were the Eagle. Exeell. Roeliesler. li'ater 
U'iteli. Rio. Medal. Visitor. Bedford. Levi ll'elel/. Davy Croekett. Gallant. Farmer. 
Oseela. Transit. Lzora. Treniont. Tide. I'lrt^iaia. L\iiil Try, Ellen Kirk/nan, Keiitueky. 
Red Roj'er. Mississippi and Gondola. This number of steamers, making two trips per 
week, were enough to madden the siKery waves of the beautiful, placid Cumberland, 
and I ause the bursting billows to lea]i wildly to the mossy shores, seeking hiding places 
for rest among the violets and lilies, sharing with the morning dew drops the kisses of 
the sunbeams. But they were loval to their native channel, and their seeming rage 
was onl\' a swelling pride in the heaving bosom of the gentle stream, gushing with 
delight in the part it was able to pla\ in developing the growth and commerce of this 
great country. And right well was this part played, giving impetus and force to the 
grand march of civilization, and growth to commerce and wealth, until now a hundred 
steamboats could not accommodate the carrying demand, and it was this growing 
demand and the progressive spirit of young manhood that made railroads necessary 
and called them into e.vistence, and u]i to this time almost every mile post on the 
Ciunberland w-as a steamboat landing. 

It will be observed by the reader that the beautiful steamer City of Clarksville, 
which now so gracefully plies the Cumberland, is not the first boat named in honor of 
the City of Seven Hills. On the 7th of February, 1S39, "A Citizen" addressed the 
following note to the Chroniclk: "J//-. MeGinty — I wish to call the attention of the 
citizens of our town to the compliment ]jaid them by Ca]it. Irwin and J. Anderson, Escp, 
in calling their splendid new boat after our village. All who have seen the Clarksville 
concur in saying that as to her design, model and finish, she is not surpassed by any 
boat that floats on the liosom of the western waters. Then the compliment is of no 
ordinary character, and tle.serves to be acknowledged in a suitable manner. I would 
therefore suggest that a stand of colors be purchased by our citizens, and presented to 
Cajit. Irwin as soon as they can be procured, or should the boat be already furnished 
with a stand, that some other appropriate present be substituted." The editor endors- 
ing the suggestion, stated that the Clarksville was expected here about the 12th inst. , 
when the citizens would have an opportunity of manifesting their appreciation of the 
compliment in whatever way they deemed most fit. The Chronicle of February 21st, 
1839, has this to say about the new boat: "We have at length had the pleasure of a 
pee]) at our long looked for namesake, and she is indeed a handsome boat — ^just such a 
boat in point of style and finish as we would have named after our goodly town. The 
Clarksville is fresh from the Wheeling dock, of the Lest material, and built mainly for 
the Nashville and New Orleans trade by Messrs. Anderson and Irwin, Nashville, and 
Capt. John B. Eastland, New Orleans. She combines at once the principal recjuisites 
of a good freighter and a desirable passenger boat. She measures 320 feet, and carries 



M luiicU'ii 111 .ilnuil ^so tolls; iS.- {\\-\ on ik'i k .uul -■; iVol Ikmiii. 7 IctI in hull, and 
run-, liiilu on ; li'cl S im lu-v u.ili'i. 1 K r \vorkmanslii|i ihinunlniul Mi'iuls in .1 strikini; 
(li\mi'i' ll\c l.islil'iil .111(1 Mili>l,nili.il. riu' l'l,vksri//i- will \ k' with llu' pioiult'st 1 r.il't in 
uiir tr.uK', whiU' Iut luMiilil'ul sw.iii liki' iiioiK'l. |iro|n'lk'(l li\ Iut iu-w ami |iivwitIii1 
ciiL^iiU', "niino lip tlu' watcis like a tliiiii; cl'litV,' an<i iKiirs i uin|H'lition in >|h'oi1, A 
l);Uul>oiiu' lU'u piano. piiirhaM'il in N.isluilU'. has lu'cn prcsi'iitoil toC',i|>t. liwiii li\ 
our ( iti/i'iis h\ w.i\ ol nn iprocil lointoy. I'lu' ( /.//■Xmvv/A' left the wharl' ycstcrd.n 
I'vtiiiiiL; with .1 l.iim' niimliiT of passengers and luMvilv ficijjhlcil with tohaico and 
lUuir iVom tills port." I'lu' ho.il .it oiu e look the K.id. .md li.id .1 lirilli.iiit luit short 
and s.id i.iiiH'i. She 111. ule ii'i;iil.ii trips, .iiul w.is tlu- laxoriti- tf.iM-liiij; bo.it with Imth 
NashvilK' .uul (.■l,irks\ ilU-. CciuimI J.ukson made liis la.si visit to New Orle.ms. the 
scene of his iu'ioisni. in j.imi.u). i,S(o, on the i'hokxi'iUi'. and was weleonied w itli the 
wildest demonstiatioiis of eiuhusiasni liy tliuusanils of jieople. Siu h a denmnstraiion 
had never lieen reeorded. I'eople j;alhereil at all landings aloni; the route to do liiin 
honor. 'The steamer passed t'larksville, returning, on l-"riday evening, Kehruary Oth. 
iS.|o, with the grand old soldier. I>uring the st.iy of the steamer at the ("larksville 
w h.irf, ( iti/eiis lined tlu' shore to greet the liero of the Hermit. ige with shouts of jov , 
weleoniing his letiiin home. The Cliirksvilli's e.ireer w.is suiUlenly ended in 1,^41. 
The liiitl(f<>/ii |).issing up on Tiiesda), June j-'d. brought news of the sinking of the 
C/iirksri//)-. wliiih went down in \ei\ deep w.iter, with joo tons of groeeries .ind se\en 
of iier erew Slie stniek .1 snag on her w.iy up iVoin New Orleans, si\ miles below 
I'oint (."hieot. Ark., and s.iiik immediately, tiie cabin separating iVoni the hull .md 
llo.iting aw.i\. S!u- w.is insured for $jo, 000, sufficient to io\ cr her lull \ .due. I'he 
surviving p.issengers cordi.illv united in \ indie.iting ('apt. Irwin .ind .ill ol the olVuers 
from tlie sligluest blame. 

Niithing more is known of the boat. Surviving passengers stated that she had 
gone down .so deep that there was no hope of raising her. However. t)ne of the most 
splendid er.ifts in the trade between Nashville ai-.d New Orleans in 1847 was a steamer 
bearing the name of ("larksville. She may have contained the machinery of the old 
boat, but certainly in all iither respects was a new boat, and it is believed she was 
entirely new and the second ("/.///•^'rv'/A'. The following announcement is found in the 
("iiKoNuii o\ Noxembcr 10th, i.S.id, and nothing more is known in regard to the 
bo.ii : ••Regul.ir New Orleans I'acket. Steamer C/iiri-fri7/i-, Jacob Hunter, M.ister. 
This beautiful and last running steamer will be commanded this season by that able 
and skillnl veteran in the serviie. ('apt. Jacob Hunter, who has lieen engaged in the 
trade for a number of years. Tlu' C'/iirki-rM- has recently been thoroughly rejiaired, is 
now in excellent running coiulition. will leave lor New Orleans on the I'lrst rise in the 
("nmberland. and coniiiuie ti) make her regul.ir trips during the se.ison. I'Veight or 
passage at the lowest lurrent r.iie can be eng.iged on .ipplic.ition to the undersigned. 
Meaumont. I'ayne \ Co., .\geiits." 

Notwithstandii\g the competition, $(> per hogshead was considered a very low 
price l"or carrying ti>bacco to New Orleans. Market quotations at that date (1837) 



167 

rniijicd ;is IoIIdus : Suii:\r. (t< j(ii<6}/^r. I'ork ck'ar, $J,; prr li;in\-l and si iirct' ; mess 
jioik, $20. oo(»( 20.50. I!:i( 1)11- -hams, io('MI(.; caiivassi.-d liams, 12' j(.; iiiid<lli.ii(;s, 
.$ro.5o(" 10.25.; slii)iild(.Ts, ,S((iSi_.<-. Lard, 9("9'..c. I^'lour, $7. 50(11 cS, 50 pn- harrcl, 
liiillci-. 25("_',S(. Wcslcni, i.S(((20c. ('(iffcc, 1 i ('( 1 2 "..c. ■r(il)a((o I'lrsl iiuality, 
.('■("5<.; scidiul, ;, '.(>nc. Whisky- -ri'dificd, ,^7c.; common, ,?6( . A hi^h ^ladc 
of lloiir sold in New Orleans al .$1 o.oo(" 10, 50 per liarrcl. d<iiililr uli.il il is Wdrlli now. 
'I'lu're is vt'r\' litlU' dilTrreiii c liclwet'ii ihc prii I'S of sii^^ar, roH'ct', liaion, laril, pork, 
liiillrr and IoIi.k (o, lluai an<l now, onh die (pialilit'S or brands of InilU-r lia\iiij; swapped 
plares on die market, Weslern or ( reaniei y liiiller now relailiii^ for 55 1 enis aixl li(jine 
made al 20(" ,;o < eiils. "Keciilied" uliisky was llien a \i-r\ dillerc-nl ipi.dil\ lidiii 
thai ( l.issilic ation now. 'Iheie was none ol" the " moiiiilain clew " then to };l.idden the 
hearts of moonshiners and liiriiish spoil lor the Moodlhirsly re\'eiiue oITh crs. 'I'he 
"rerlilied" was the pnre Koherlson eciiint\ ilonlile eopper distilled ne( t.n', uith ihe 
headac he and linhliiij; mania t'xirac ted li\' 1 hasin^ il twic e tiiroii)^h .1 lonj; c oppca- \Mirm 
and a JKJf^shead of 1 hareoal. 'I'lic coniiiion was run ihrouj^h onl\- (jiii e, (.died sing 
lilies, and was one to live < eilts per gallon 1 lieaper. .\ge made tin- re( tilled worth 40 
to 50 cents per gallon, Iml it was rarely ihat any ( onld lie kepi long enough lor that. 
The whisky used on muster o( lasicnis, election days ,iiid lor general Tree lights was 
< ailed " hurst head," hroiight Irom ('iiKinnali Tor the purpose and sold al aluuil 20 
<eiits per galhui. Alex. II. CrcJiuwen, of ( larksxine, uas sole agent for 'rhonias 
Williamson's rectifieil Koljerlson ( iJUlit\ whiskw wliic h u.is then the leading hralid 011 
the inarkel. .\lr. \Villiams(Ui (jwned a ( iisloin mill ,iiid distillery lUi the IClk I'ork ol 
Red l\i\er. two miles .iliove S.iddlersville, ,1 lii'.iutiful farm of .400 acres now owiu'd liy 
!•;. W. l!r\an. lie was a useful citizen and I'lijoyed the 1 onlidence of evi'ryhody as an 
honest, kind hearted, henevoleut man. .\lmost every farmer in Koliertson county who 
had a ( (lol ac( essilile spring, w.is .1 distiller, using ((ip|ier stills with ,1 capac ily for m,ik- 
ing 10 to 50 gallons per day. 'There w.is no |a\ on the arli< le, .iiid e\i-ry man exi-rcised 
liisoun free will, ((insiieiue, sovereign right ,iiid honest judgment in the m.iniif.ii lure 
of uliisk). .Some believed' that il was (Uie of Cod's blessings, ,iiid th.it they were 
jiroperly serving the ],orcl l)y making it pure, ( olored only with burnt sugar. No oiu- 
has ever yet found a twist of tobacco or .any olher mean thing in ,1 barrel of Robertson 
(iiiiiily wdiisky. Il is not argiieil that those honest dislillers went to heaven in .1 still 
tub; rather it is believed that they found tluar he.iveu in this life, wlii( h was llu- pre 
vailing idea among the in. While honesly was the lound.ilion of their faith, h<)S|)itality 
w.is the emln-llishing .itlributi' whic h iiiadi' their religion shine. Who has not heard of 
Robertson county hospitality? When ,t friend or stranger, so he was a gentleman, vis- 
ited one of these old-fashioned distillers, he was invited to the < cll.ir and the lif)rse sent 
to ihe st.ible. The visitor was then se.iled on ihe head of a barrc'l, while lIu' proprietor 
Went out for the mint ,iiid i( e. Taking a large-size'l glass liimbha- in hand, he uoiild 
first dr.iw from one barrel two lingers of loaf sugar syrup, next one hliger of old pe.ich 
brandy, third, one linger of apple, next one of cherry ( ordi.d, and fnan the fifth barrel 
I two lingers of juire corn nectar. Into this was |iut the mint and broken ii e, anolher 



i68 
tumbler of the same si/e clapited over the top, ami then shaken mitil thciroiiyhl)' mixed 
and cooled by the melting ice. 'I'he visitor was told that it wouldn't hurt liim, and 
invited to keep his seat and drink it all while they discussed good liquor, fast horses, 
the price of corn and the most suitable man for the Legislature. By the time the con- 
tents of the glass disajipeared the gentleman occupying the head of the barrel felt as 
rich as a Jew and just as near hea\en as he ever cared to be. In tact, he had no idep, 
of any heaven e<pial to that, and no spirit that ever made a man tee! so glorious (not 
mean). If he was a near neighbor he was jjroperly able to get home by bedtime: if. 
however, he lived any distance, this thing was reiieated after dinner, and next morning 
before breakfast ; and if a very dear friend, another day and night was hajjpily spent, 
but no man was e\er known to go home after night and kick his wife out of bed. 
The difference in the ]irice of whisky now and then is ninety cents per gallon. The 
amount of internal revenue tax levied and collected by the government — a relic of the 
war — and the methods of applying this law by guarding distilleries and employing 
revenue officers to enforce it, creates monopolies in the manufacture, and only very 
wealthy men are able to comply with the requirements, so there are now four or five 
distilleries in Robertson county making more whisky in one day than a hundred old- 
time plants would make in a week. 

Drs. 1,. W. King and T. J. Donoho were practicing physicians in the early history 
of Clarks\ille. They associated themselves together in the practice of medicine in 
'■'ebruar\ . 1S37. Dr. C. R. Cooper was also a popular physician here at that time. 
Dr. I. H. Harris came later and had an office in a little white house on the corner of 
the Public Square, the site now occupied by Couts' old furniture Iniilding. Henry V. 
Beaumont, who had a hand in e\ery good cause, judging from his advertising, was the 
li\e insurance agent of the town for many years, dating from 1836, and was perhaps 
the only one. He represented the Nashville Insurance and Trust Company. 

Education during the early days of Clarksville was not entirely neglected, and the 
jjresent generation owes much to the good men whose illustrious names are found in 
these pages, clustering like diamonds around every worthy cause, and giving sanction 
and authority to every laudible enterprise. They .stood together like brothers, as did 
the pioneers against the red man of the forest, fighting for civilization and C'hristianit\ . 
They signed their names to everything worthy of their sanction, as they a])pear further 
on under authority of school trustees. These grand old men left the impress of their 
noble character, which is seen and felt by the present generation in the growing and 
prosperous city of Clarksville. It aj)pears a school for young ladies was taught here 
in 1836, and perhaps earlier, by two ladies. Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Hise. However 
competent these ladies might have been for the work in hand, their school did not gi\ e 
satisfaction or meet the reipiiremenls of a growing town anti aspiring people; more 
facilities were wanted and something to give character to the town as an educational 
point of more imjjortance than was attached to a private school. It appears that the 
subject of a female academy was the uppermost question. .\ board of trustees was 
organized for this purjiose, but at what time is not known. The immediate need of 



169 

this school was felt, and the people were tiot fully able to build such a hotise as was 
wanted, and it was decided to procure a suitable room for the school until a building 
could be erected, whereupon the Masonic fraternity tendered the institution the use 
of the first story of Masonic Hall, free of charge, until a suitable house could be built, 
on the condition that the trustees would keep the house in good repair. A meeting 
of the trustees was held November 22d, 1836, to consider the matter, and the proposi- 
tion was accepted. The house was turned over to Mr. Burrell, Principal of the school, 
on condition that he would be responsible, and comply with the conditions of the 
( ontract, which he agreed to do, and the announcement was made, stating the propo- 
sition and agreement, and the opening of Clarksville Female Academy on the 2nd da}- 
ot January, 1837, signed by the Board of Trustees, Henry F. Beaumont, President; 
John H. Poston, Secretary; Eli Lockert, Thomas W. Fraser, James McClure, Isaac 
Dennison, Ale.v. H. Cromwell and John McKeage. It appears that the connection 
of Mr. Burrell with the institution ended with that session, as on the 23d of June, 1837, 
the Board of Trustees announced that Rev. Benjamin B. Dye, and wife as assistant, 
had been employed to take charge of the Clarksville Female Academy, signed Henry 
F. Beaumont, Charles Bailey, Eli Lockert, Isaac Dennison, James McClure, John 
McKeage and James B. Reynolds. Benjamin Dye did not continue long as principal 
of the school. On the 20th of December, 1838, the Trustees announced "that they 
have again appointed Mr. Whitman and his lady to take charge of the Female Academy 
for the next session to commence on first Monday in January, 1839. The Trustees 
deem it an act of justice to the profound literary attainments of Mr. and Mrs. Whitman 
to thus publicly declare their entire satisfaction with the management of the Academy, 
their mode of instruction, as well as their industry and ability." Signed by the Board 
of Trustees as above, and Mr. Whitman announced the terms of tuition, including 
stationery and fuel, as heretofore, $10, $15, $20; music, $25. Mr. Whitman's health 
failing he gave up the Female Academy at the close of the first session for 1839, and 
soon after that died of consumption. He was succeeded in January, 1840, by Rev. 
Simpson Shepherd, and son, and two daughters in the music and art departments. 
Prof. Wendal was also music teacher in the town. This family continued in 
charge three sessions, ending June, 1841. On June 15th, 1S41, the 'IVustees met at 
Mr. Dennison's counting room ; present, Henry F. Beaumont, Lsaac Denni.son, John 
H. Poston, Eli Lockert, Charles Bailey, John McKeage and J. B. Reynolds. Mrs. 
Whitman, after the death of her husband, was very promptly elected principal of the 
Female Acadeiny. She continued in charge one year, or two sessions, from July, 
1841, to July, 1842, at Masonic Hall. At this time the Masonic Female Institute was 
organized, making use of Masonic Hall, and Mrs. Whitman was employed as superin- 
tendent. The first session commenced July 5th, 1842, and was limited to thirt\ 
scholars. The Board of Trustees were: SamuelMcFall, A. H. Kerr, T. W. Barks 
dale, .\. Johnson, B. G. Hinton, B. Welkins and T. J. Donoho. J. P. Wendel kept 
a music school in connection with the institute. Here the writer loses track of the 
Clarksville Female Academy for a time, but it was not born to die so young as that. 



It was afterwards o])ened in the old Methodist church, corner of Main and Fourth 
streets. I)r. 1. H. Harris, J. N. Barker and H. ¥. Beaumont were appointed a com- 
mittee in 1842 to sell the old Methodist church (which building has since been con- 
verted into a handsome residence, and now occu|)ied by Rev. Dr. Hendricks) the 
-Methodist congreg-ition having completed their new church on Franklin street, now 
occupied by the Cumberland Presbyterians. This (ommittee failed to sell, and in 
1846 John S. Hart, David Browder and Joseph K. Douglass were appointed a com- 
mittee to sell the old Methodist church, which was then occupied as a Female Semin- 
ary. This was evidently the Clarksville Female .\cademy, but it is not known who 
had charge at that time. However, on January 22d, 184S, the ninth session of this 
institution was announced to commence Monday, 17th inst., under the superintendency 
of Rev. .\lex. R. Erwin, assisted by competent female teachers; signed, H. F. Beau- 
mont, R. S. Moore, J. S. Hart, Jos. Johnson, E. P. McGinty, John McFerrin, William 
Beaumont, W. B. Johnson, T. A. Thomas, T. Anderson and David Browder, Trustees. 
It is unnecessary to trace the old organization any further in this sketch. The old 
church was sold to the Cumberland Presbyterians, who occupied it as a house of wor- 
ship up to the date of the purchase of their present building, and no doubt Rev. Mr. 
Erwin continued in charge of the school; but the sale of the building dispossessed the 
institution of a house, and the want inspired the erection of a commodious Female 
.\cademy, that noble man. Rev. Henry Beaumont, still leadmg in the enterprise, never 
letting it rest until the great work was accomplished. For further particulars of this 
grand institution, which has accomplished so much for education in this section, fitting 
the lovely girls who are the present noble mothers of the country, for the important 
duties and responsibilities of life, the reader is referred to page 68. 

Mrs. Hise announced in December, 1838, that the fourth session of her school for 
yoimg ladies would open on January 7th, 1839, with grateful acknowledgment for the 
liberal patronage received, and refers to Hon. M. A. Martin, Col. C. Crusman, Mr. 
r. W. Barksdale, Drs. King and Donoho, Major B. J. Hinton and Dr. C. R. Cooper. 
This was evidently a popular school, and must have divided honors with the academy, 
as it was difficult for the trustees to maintain teachers. Mrs. Hise continued her school 
up to the close of 1840, and was then succeeded by Mrs. Boardman. In 1842, Miss 
H. Fall, assisted by her sister, Mrs. Kenney, probably succeeded Mrs. Boardman. and 
taught a private female school several years. 

.\t the same time Clarksville Male Academy existed, and was looked after by some 
of the same men, as Trustees, who took so much interest in female education. Rev. 
Consider Parish was Principal of the School in 1837, and no account can be had of its 
history previous to that year. Mr. Jarnes A. Grant, in his reminiscenses of old times 
in Clarksville, has this to say about the Principal and school where he began his edu- 
cation : "The first school house of any importance, occupied the present site of the 
Southwestern Presbyterian University, and was called the Clarksville Male Academy. 
When we started to school there in 1837, a man named Consider Parish was principal 
teacher. He was decidedly a considerable teacher. If a pupil violated the slightest 



•71 
regulation, old Consider took it under prompt consideration, and after considering a 
considerable time, he would give the offender a most considerable thrashing in con- 
sideration of his failure to consider rightly what he should have carefully considered." 
Old Consider, however, did not reign over the boys of Clarksville long. The Board 
of Trustees, it seems, took him under their consideration, and considering him not 
considerate enough, decided to employ a more considerate man, and on the 9th of 
July, 1838, they announced the arrival of Mr. Fletcher, as Principal, and Mr. Newton, 
as Assistant, from Virginia, who had been employed by the Board to take charge of 
the school, ])ronouncing a high eulogy upon the character and fitness of Mr. Fletcher, 
signed John H. Poston, H. F. Beaumont, M. Rowley, John McKeage, James McClure, 
C. Crusman, W. H. Drane, Andrew Vance and J. B. Reynolds. Mr. Patterson 
Fletcher resigned his charge of the Male Academy at the close of the session in 1839, 
and the Board of Trustees gave the young man a happy send-off in a card commending 
his high ([ualifications, on December 19th, 1839, and at the .same meeting elected Rev. 
Abner W. Kilpatrick as principal. In July, 1842, Mr. Ed C. Robb became as.sociated 
with Mr. Kilpatrick, and they continued in charge of the school up to January, 1846. 
Kilpatrick and Robb must have had some hard boys to deal with — grown up fellows 
who delighted in teasing and vexing the old man, as they called him. It is not neces- 
sary to name prominent citizens of the present day who enjoyed so much reckless 
school-boy fun in tormenting Kilpatrick. They will read this, as others will, and re- 
member every incident which called for the exercise of their retaliating spirit on the 
old man, who tried but didn't understand harnessing a boy and making him work any- 
where, as did that model teacher, John D. Tyler (Old Luke) who kept a popular school 
at his home near Hampton's Spring, and left his impress on the rising generation. He 
liad a black-gum thicket near the school-house, and a circus ring in the thicket, to 
which he carried the lazy, refractory, reckless, dare-devil boys, giving them the length 
of his arm for a circuit, while he demonstrated the value of black-gum timber to en- 
lighten a boy's understanding, quicken his perception and sharpen his wit. It made 
no difference about the age, size, color, condition, parentage or quality of blood, the 
black-gum had the same happy effect upon all alike, and it was a bonanza discovery for 
Mr. Tyler, as well as the making of smart men of many fool, reckless, wild boys 
brought up under his black-gum policy who are recognized at this day as the best 
doctors, ablest lawyers, judges and bankers that Clarksville ever had. Black-gum tim- 
ber was never considered useful for any purpose except for making truck wagon wheels 
until "Old Luke" made this discovery, and he had a monopoly of the best thicket 
known. Mr. Kilpatrick did not exactly understand the motitts operandi, or was desti- 
tute of the magnetism or persuasive power to induce a boy to take illustrative lessons 
in black-gumology, and the Board of Trustees came to his help by the adoption of the 
following regulations for the Clarksville Male Academy, July, 1843: " ist. All stu- 
dents entering this school shall be considered as entered for the whole session, and the 
]iarent or guardian of such pupil shall be charged for the entire session, unless more 
than one month has elapsed before the entrance of said ]ju]5il. No deduction to be 



172 

made for absenre except in cases of protracted sickness. 2d. The Library and Appa- 
ratus shall l)e under the immediate care of the Principal. 3d. As strict subordination 
is absolutely necessary in all well governed institutions, therefore, Resolved that the 
Principal will be sustained by the Trustees in the infliction of corporal punishment 
upon ANY student of this institution. 4th. When any student shall be refractory, and 
in defiance of remonstrance, fail or refuse to submit to the rules of the Academy, the 
Principal shall notify the Trustees thereof, whose duty it shall be to meet at the Acad- 
emy, investigate the matter, and suspend or e.xpel such student, as the case may 
require. 5th. The Trustees will hold a meeting regularly on the first Friday of each 
month, at 3 o'clock p. m.: subject to a fine of fifty cents for non-attendance, which 
fine it shall be the duty of the Treasurer to collect. 6th. At each monthly meeting a 
committee of three shall be appointed, whose duty it shall be to visit the Academy at 
least twice every month. 7th. .\11 profane, obscene language, quarreling, fighting and 
immoral conduct of ever\- kind, are positively prohibited by the rules of this institution. 
8th. Should any student, by his misconduct, subject himself to suspension or expul- 
sion, no deduction shall be made in the tuition fee of said pupil for the session for 
which he entered. 9th. .\11 internal regulations, adopted by the Principal for the 
government of the school, will be sustained by the Trustees. John H. Poston, Presi- 
dent; Walter H. Drane, P. Priestley, Benjamin Wilkins, James B. Reynolds, Mortimer 
A. Martin, H. F. Beaumont, Charles R. Cooper, Gustavus A. Henry, Trustees." 
This announcement helped the cause considerably, placing the school on the big road 
of independence and prosperity, although black-gum was very scarce and other timbers 
had to be resorted to as a substitute, requiring two teachers to illustrate the use of the 
new branch. It appears that the career of Kilpatrick and Robb ended here with the 
year 1845, ^"d then came two gentlemen with a flourish of trumpets and high-sounding 
titles — Hollis Russell, graduate of Yale College, Principal, and T. Langdon Anderson, 
M. D., Assistant. These gentlemen were employed by the Trustees January 6th, 1846, 
and given a big send-off, signed H. F. Beaumont, J. H. Poston, G. A. Henry, M. .\. 
Martin, J. B. Reynolds, W. H. Drane, P. Priestley, B. Wilkins and C. R. Cooper. 
This administration continued only one year, and then came Mr. Wm. H. Marquess, 
from Nashville, recommended by Rev. Dr. Philip Lindsley, President of the Nashville 
University. He was employed on the ist of March, 1847, and commenced school 
on the eighth day following. He was endorsed by the Board of Trustees as follows: 
John H. Poston, Walter H. Drane, M. A. Martin, H. F. Beaumont, Thomas Cross, 
C. R. Cooper, G. A. Henry, Jas. B. Reynolds, P. Priestley. From this the school 
drifted into the Masonic College, then Stewart College and Southwestern Presbyterian 
University, as will be seen on page 49. Here the writer will leave the educational and 
other enterprises for the present, giving place to a few sketches of revered names who 
were connected with the early business, growth and prosperity along in the thirties and 
forties, to whom Clarksville owes so much for the fame she now enjoys. 

.About 1845 or 1846 a Mr. Harvey taught a private male school, and was suc- 
ceeded in January, 1847, ^Y -'• ^- ^^^rd, and soon came Dr. Ring, who maintained 



'73 
an excellent male sehool up to about 1870. The first free school was opened in 1848, 
Jacob Hornburger and T. A. Thomas, Commissioners. Miss Martha A. Jackson was 
employed to teach the Female School at Masonic Hall, and Mr. Joseph (J. Ward en- 
gaged to teach the Male School in the house which he had formerly occupied, free to 
all, in the Si.xth School District, and parents were notified that if they would pay half 
the cost, the schools could be permanently established. It appears, however, that 
there was no organized, energetic effort to carry out the idea, and of course the schools 
fell into disrepute, and no further effort was made until after the war to establish the 
free or public school system. 

Rev. Hknry F. Beaumont. 

The name of the Rev. Henry F. Beaumont furnishes a theme for the most gifted 
])en to dwell at length in eulogy, and rise to the most lofty eloquence in describing 
his sublime character without e.xaggerating or even reaching the merits of his remark- 
able life, so full of golden sheaves. And yet the whole of it might be written in a few 
]ilain words: " He was as near perfection as it is pos- 
sible for man in this life." But his acts and deeds 
should be held up in detail in the light for the coming 
generations of young men, who would have a perfect 
model by which to fashion a life of usefulness. The 
writer is aware of the fact that the biographer is ex- 
])ected to do much pen painting in pleasing life sketches, 
but in this instance language fails to furnish words for 
painting a canvas already glittering like diamonds be- 
neath the sunbeams. People yet living who knew him 
jiersonally will not read a line of this, or hear his name 
mentioned, without a thrilling sensation in the pleasing 
recollections of the grand old man. And the young, 

who knew him not, will have their tender sympathies touched in excited admiration 

for such a noble character. Even the little children about Clarksville know that there 

is something like magic in the name of " Beaumont," but do not understand that the 

spirit of the father of Methodism, of education, of charity, of public enterprise, of 

every good cause in Clarksville from 1829 to 1864, is still brooding over this people, 

like a charm that softens and sweetens rugged nature, although the man has been dead 

twenty-three years. 

j It is possible, and it may be quite easy for a minister, a man of God, whose only 

I business and duty it is to read and study the Scriptures and preach the gospel, living as 

he should prayerfully, to draw very near to the Lord, keeping Christ in his life and the 

Spirit in his heart ; but it is difificult, extremely difficult, for men busied with the affairs 

I of the world, coming in contact daily with all kinds of men, pressed from morning till 

I night, day in alid day out, with the cares of life, the responsibilities of public affairs, 

I the intricacies of financeering troublesome institutions and weak enterj)rises, meeting 




'74 
and dealing with every class of humanity and siilTcring in life, to reatli so high a state 
in spiritual nature, and but few, very few, ever do. Mr. Kcaumont, however, was cnie 
of that few. He carried his religion into everything ; it seemed as if Ciirist walked 
with him in all his daily avocations, commanding reverence wherever he went from all 
classes. He possessed the power of knitting people together with tender ties of friend- 
ship, binding with cords '.hat never loosen, but strengthen by new links uniting the 
present generation in the same fraternal bond, and so it is that his wonderful influence 
still lives. Truly he was blessed of God, and used by the Lord as an instrument for 
great good, and everything he put his hands to was blessed. All people who knew 
Mr. Beaumont admired his straight-forward walk and loved him as a Christian man. 
Many yet living who grew up boys and girls under his magic influence cherish in 
memory the sparkling gems which made his life so beautiful, and when those gems in 
acts and deeds are grouped together they reveal a crown of glory that but few men 
ever win. 

Henry F. Beaumont was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, at 12 o'clock on the 
evening of the last dav of December, 1800, and consequently had lived in two cen- 
turies when an hour old. .\t the early age of sixteen years he came to this country, 
locating in I.\nchburg. N'irginia. He was brought up in the Church of England, but 
finding no organization of the kind in Lynchburg, he united with the Methodist Church 
and at once commenced his Christian career, studied the Bible, lived an active Christian 
life, put his hands to every good work, and very soon the church discovered that his 
Zealand proficiency justified his ordination for the ministry. \'oung Beaumont, how- 
ever, did not join the conference to make preaching a dependence. He had learned 
the tobacco business and other lines of commerce and stuck to that, giving his nights. 
Sundavs and all spare time to preaching and studying the word. But here a new 
dream came into his life. It was not easy and pleasant to tread alone the path he had 
chosen, and there was a craving in his heart for some sweet companionship to lighten 
the burdens and beautify life. Yes, the young preacher found himself not alone in 
love with his chosen profession ; he had met a beautiful girl whose womanly grace and 
bewitching charms filled his heart with ecstacy. \Vho doubts that the hand of Fate 
appoints the destiny of men and women who trust God and love His service? Can it 
be possible that the God of Love, whose all-seeing eye even keeps watch over the little 
sparrow, will allow Cupid to misguide the children of His love in the imjjortant affairs 
of the heart, while the s|)irit is striving to shape and seal their lives for His name's 
honor and glorv ? No. no '. Nlarriage is of Divine authority and sanction, and God's 
love is sure to temper and direct Cupid's arrow, uniting the destinies of men and women 
for His glorv. and this is what sweetens marital life. Those who blindly rush to the 
hymeneal altar under the guidance of lust and passion, soon reach all of the joys in 
selfish desire, and here happiness ends and misery comes in to make life a hades. 
How important for people before entering into such relationship to seek the favor of 
God. guided by i)ure and holy motives? Young Henry Beaumont was evidently im- 
pressed with such thoughts and had unmistakable evidence of the source frcm whence 



'75 
came this new inspiration, and with the courage of a true man made known his heaven- 
inspired devotion for the fair maiden whose beauty and grace of mind had captivated 
his lieart and thrilled his soul. Needless to add that his offer of marriage was accepted. 
There was no time to be lost. The young preacher saw that his life's work was too 
full of duties fur any halting or resting, and at the early age of twenty-one years he led 
to the altar Miss .Sarah Anderson, the fairest flower in all of that beautiful land. Im- 
mediately they set out hand in hand, heart bound u|j in heart, for the journey of life, 
planting roses by the wayside at every crossing, and never a thorn. As time passed 
they gathered golden sheaves, filling the garner to overflowing, continuing to plant 
dowers, strewing their pathway with daisies and planting bed of violets upon every 
summit, and no lives were ever so full of happiness. 

In 1829 Mr. Beaumont, guided by the same hand that directed all his affairs, 
without first going to view out a home in the new West, packed up everything and 
started, never stopping until he landed at what was called the upper tavern in Clarks- 
ville, an old frame builning where the Franklin Hou.se now stands. The conveyances 
were an old-fashioned wagon drawn by six large draft horses, with great frame bed and 
high side boards, white-oak bows and white osnaburg cover, apparently as large as the 
ordinary flat-boat used for freighting down the river. The family came in a two-horse 
carryall. This was like a show entering the town, and everybody ran out, gazing with 
curiosity at the newcomers, and wondering from whence came such a turnout. Their 
young lives had been blessed with four lovely children, all about the same size, and 
when Mr. Beaumont hopped out of the carryall and commenced unloading the children, 
first sweet little Adaline, then Egbert, next Sterling and Charlie, bright little boys, and 
then his loving wife. Mr. Bringhurst, who always saw something ludicrous in every- 
thing, burst out in laughter and asked the tavern-keeper if he was " importing Sunday 
schools." Whatever may have been the answer of the inn man, the importation soon 
jjroved to be a very live Sunday school, and Mr. Bringhurst became a very apt scholar 
and a life-long admirer of the superintendent. Mr. Beaumont bought a lot and built a 
small house on the river side above town, about opposite the present site of the water 
works jnimp. He then built a warehouse and stemmery of slabs, the bark sides of saw 
logs, whi( h he hauled from a country saw-mill, standing the slabs ends up. Here he 
commenced business, this being the first stemmery ever erected in Clarksville, and he 
being the first man that ever shipped a hogshead of strips down the Cumberland river. 
In the meantime Mr. Beaumont was not idle in his Master's cause. He very soon 
organized a society on the John Wesley plan and drew into the circle many of the best 
people of the town, preaching to them the love of Christ and duty of men, and form- 
ing a bond of union that death only could sever. He lost no opportunity to preach 
and exhort peoj^le to the love of' Christ, and never allowed business to come between 
him and his Christian duty, nor would he violate tht Sabbath under any pretext. The 
ox was never in the ditch for him; if a steamer brought him a consignment of goods on 
Sunday, the boat would have to lay over till Monday or carry the goods on. He 
would not receive the smallest package nor the most imjjortant consignment on that 



day. His good wife stood liy upholding his arms in all he did, encouraging him by 
her love, her prayers, self-sacrifice and devotion. A most noble woman she was, her 
sweet influence extending throughout the community to every social circle, forming ties 
of lasting friendship, doing wjrk to lighten the sorrows of life, and plant the spirit of 
religion in every household. 

Mr. Beaumont was not a brilliant man in the pulpit under the common acceptation 
of the term brilliancy : one who charmed an audience by his eloquence and splendid 
oratory. He was rather a i)lain, common sense, practicable preacher, as he was .1 
practicable man in all his work. Certainly he was an extraordinary man in some re- 
sjject — a man of great magnetism, as his wide-spread influence would indicate. The 
little society thus formed, as sjjoken of in a brief history of the church, was nursed and 
strengthened by this good man until organized into a church, and under this influence 
the first church hoiise was erected in Clarksville in 1832, and now the congregation 
worships in one of the most splendid edifices in the city. Mr. Beaumont was never 
])astor, but to the end of his useful life was its strongest pillar, his purse ever open to 
the wants of the church, paying half of the pastor's salary and other expenses. His 
house was the home of the minister, whoever he was and whenever he came : and a 
stable was always ready for the i)reacher's horse, with plenty of corn and hay, and wel- 
come as long as he hati a mind to stay. His own services were given every Sabbath 
to preaching in the country whenever a congregation could be gathered. His secular 
work was wonderful and beyond the endurance -of ordinary men. He was wanted and 
his time and counsel freely given in every public meeting for every public good not 
mixed up in politics. He was President of the Board of Trustees of the Clarksville 
Female .\cademy from its organization in 1836 till his death, and he was the prime 
mover or father of its inception. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for the 
Male Academy, and prompt at all meetings of both. He was President of the Clarks- 
ville or ^Montgomery County Bible Society from its organization in 1.S37 until his 
death, nearly thirty years. He was agent for the Nashville Insurance Trust Company 
for ten years, until elected the second President of the Clarksville Marine, Fire Insur- 
ance & Life Trust Company, which he administered successfully for many years until 
the company decided to go into licpiidation. He was President of the Clarksville 
branch of the Planters" Bank from the time it was established until the war. 
twenty years or more. He continued in the tobacco stemming business to the end of 
his life. For a number of years he kept a wholesale grocery store, and was also 
a member of the firm of Beaumont & Browder, and after that the firm of Beaumont, 
Payne & Co., grocers and commission merchants, H. F. Beaumont, J. R. Payne and 
R. Browder composing the firm. He was also agent for the popular steamer Clarks- 
7'ille, Capt. Joseph M. Irwin's boat, the daisiest craft that floated on the bosom of the 
great waters between Nashville and New Orleans. And hereby hangs a tale, a pretty 
little romance, which explains the naming of the splendid steamer Clarks7'il/i\ which 
might have been told in connection with the river interest had it been known at the 
time of writing. It was a mark of high merit to be a steamboat captain in the early 



177 
days, and l)Ut few young men were al)le to reach that proud distinction ; yet no man 
on the river wore the honors with greater dignity, or met with more popular a]j]jlause, 
than the gallant young Captain Jo Irwin. And why not? He was a handsome man, 
bright in intellect, gallant in all of his bearings and generous in every act. He loved 
the excitement of river life, was ambitious to excel, and always attentive, reliable and 
careful for the safety and comfort of the traveling public. He sought popular favor, 
and with all he possessed a big heart, full of enthusiasm, and was sincere in everything. 
It was Clarksville people, however, that he liked best of all whom he met on the long 
line of travel from Nashville to New Orleans, and no name of all the towns for a 
thousand miles bore such sweet refrain as tiie little " City of Seven Hills." There was 
something in it that thrilled his soul, making him feel strong, and when his boat 
rounded the curve and whistled for the landing, his eyes were always out to catch a 
glimpse of the light from the window of a cottage on the hill, or the tall, graceful form 
of a beautiful maiden who dwelt there. .She was like her mother, with deep brown 
eyes full of the light of heaven, shaded by a suit of luxuriant black hair that hung in 
curls about her forehead and waves over her snow-white neck. She was truly lovely, 
as everybody said, and Capt. Jo was not the only man who felt the power of Cupid's 
dart in the flash of her mellow eyes. When rounding the curve he always caught the 
fragrance of sweet flowers wafted by the breezes that swept that cottage hillside, and 
watched with inten.se anxiety the waving of a white handkerchief, or the light in the 
window if by night, as a token of welcome to his arrival. Capt. Jo may not have 
known it, but it was a fact, that no boat on the river had such a clear, sweet-sounding 
whistle as the Clarksville. Her time was kept in memory, and her coming eagerly 
watched for, and the vibration that announced her coming sent a tender thrill to at 
least one heart ; and therefore the waving handkerchief or light in the window to wel- 
come the favorite craft of the Cumberland. No one but those who felt the shock could 
imagine the deep sense of anxiety that was felt when the news came announcing the 
loss of the fairest sailer on the bosom of the great waters, the Clarksville having gone 
down in unfathomable water, with part of her crew and 200 tons cargo, until the next 
steamer came, bringing tidings of the safety of her gallant captain. Very speedily an- 
other boat was built to take her place. It might, and probably would have been called 
by a sweeter name, but that would have betrayed the secret, and so it was that the sec- 
ond Clarksville took her place in the run, enjoying greater favor than the first. And 
here let the .sequel be announced as it appears in an old issue of the Clarksville Chron- 
ici.K : "Thursday morning, June 17th, 1841, Capt. Joseph M. Irwin, of Nashville 
and Miss Adaline Beaumont, daughter of Rev. H. F. Beaumont, were married by 
Rev. A. L. P. Green." In this beautiful event Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont experienced 
the joys of their early love, after 'twenty years, welded up in the happiness of their first 
born ; for Capt. Irwin was worthy the devotion of a pure woman, the sweet hand they 
had bestowed with their prayers for the descending blessings of heaven. 

The first tobacco stemniery, referred to above, built by Mr. Beaumont of slabs 
occujiied the lot on which Capt. Tom. Herndon's residence now stands, corner of 



1/8 
Commerce and Front or River streets. There were no macadamized streets or wharf 
then, and tobacco had to be rolled down to the boats on skids or through the mud. 
But Mr. Beaumont's enterprise started others to work giving life and impetus to the 
agricultural interests, and after some years the produce trade became too heavy to be 
handled without better facilities and metaled streets. 

After this Mr. Beaumont bought the lot now occupied by Rev. 1 )r. Wilson, corner 
Munford avenue and Second streets, and lived there a few years, when he built the 
big brick in the bottom fronting on College street, near where he built the large stem- 
mery now occupied by Mr. Sterling Beaumont. At this place Mr. Beaumont died 
in December, 1864, just sixty-four years of age; not old, but years very full of life's 
best labor, so full that as people generally count love's labor, his time of work might 
be called one hundred years. His good wife survived him a few years and died. To 
them were born seven sons and two daughters in the following order : .\daline, Egbert 
H., Sterling F., Charles W., Thomas W., Frank S., Clara B., Irwin B. (Bish) and 
John Fletcher. Of these only three survive, Sterling, Dr. Charles and Mrs. Clara 
Wisdom. Thomas, Frank and John were lost in the Confederate service of the Inter- 
State war. Irwin survived the war and was killed some ten years after by a man whom 
he attempted to arrest while serving as sheriff of Montgomery county. 

There are many incidents in the life of Rev. Henry Beaumont which illustrate 
the wonderful influence he exercised over the community. Many farmers in the coun 
try were accustomed to send him their produce when ready for market, tobacco and 
pork, without any contract or stipulated price, and always received his weights and 
prices with perfect satisfaction, trusting implicitly to his honor. An old farmer in the 
county, and brother Methodist, who stood very much like Mr. Beaumont, was known 
to have a fine crop of tobacco. Mr. Beaumont wanted it and sent his agent to buy the 
crop, but the old gentleman would not let him have it. The next day he sold the crop 
to another stemmer at the same figures offered by Mr. Beaumont's agent. This was 
strange and excited comment, because he was known to be a warm personal friend of 
Mr. B., and a mutual friend took it upon himself to inquire of the former why he would 
not let Brother Beaumont have his tobacco, when guided by the price he had offered. 
" Because," said he, "everybody knows that Brother Beaumont will do right, and my 
neighbors know that I will do right. I knew the price he would offer would be right. 
I>ut if I were to sell him my crop and anything should go wrong, people wouldn't 
know who was to blame, myself or Brother Beaumont, and therefore I sold to the 
other man." 

Capt. J. J. Crusman, one of Clarksville's big-hearted men, tells with tender emo- 
tions a pleasing incident in the life of Mr. Beaumont which illustrates the depth and 
value of his friendship. During the fiercest rage of the war between the North and 
the South, Mr. Beaumont, though feeble in health and bowed down with the labor of 
years, visited the army in \'irginia to see his boys, who were enlisted in the Confeder- 
ate cause, and especially to see Fletcher, the baby boy, whose young heart, fired by 
patriotism, had led him to join the army before he was stout enough to bear arms. 



179 
He stayed some time, and while there Ca])t. Crusman showed him all the attention and 
hospitality he could, and in doing this felt that he was only discharging his duty to an 
aged gentleman and prominent citizen of his town, and thought no more of it, or that 
it was anything to be remembered. After that the three sons were all killed, reverses 
had come and the star of the Confederacy seemed to be on the wane, and Mr. Beau- 
mont, weighted with sorrow and disappointment, and having also suffered heavy losses 
from the accumulations of a lifetime, had nothing more to hope for or care for beyond 
his own immediate affairs and family circle. Ne.xt followed the hard fought battle of 
Petersburg in August, 1864. Capt. Crusman was on detached service there and was 
here taken prisoner and sent to Point Lookout. As soon as the news reached Clarks- 
ville Mr. Beaumont wrote his personal friends in Baltimore, pressing them with all the 
earnestness of his nature to go to Capt. Crusman's relief, furnish whatever he might 
need at any cost, and also any friend whom Crusman might recommend, and send the 
bill to him. His friends tried but could do nothing under the strict army regulations 
of discipline, but after his escape that letter .saved his life. Capt. Crusman appreciated 
the pure motive of the generous-hearted man, and will ever cherish his memory for 
this disinterested act of kindness. 

Again, in this is e.xhibited the great patriotism of a most noble father, after giving 
three beloved sons to the Confederacy — Capt. Frank, Col. Tom and Irwin, whose gal- 
lantry is recorded in war history — John Fletcher, the last, in whom was centered the 
doating love of fond old parents, fired by the ruling passion of the hour, the love of 
fireside, home and country, and the feelings of young manhood swelling in his bosom, 
broke loose from all of those tender ties to answer to his country's call. He was .so 
very young, as above stated, that his brother, Capt. Frank, refused to let him join the 
company. Capt. Crusman, then Lieutenant, took the youth into his tent and kindly 
remonstrated with him, telling him of the hardship of soldier life, that he was too 
young to bear arms and keep up with the army, and begging him to return home. 
" No," said the boy, "all of that makes no difference to me. I have determined on 
my course, and if my friends will not let me stay with them, I can go to another com- 
mand." Very soon, however, Fletcher was stricken down with a severe fever, and 
then it was that Mr. Beaumont visited the army, staying by his beloved boy's side, 
nursing him tenderly through his long spell of sickness, until he was able to come 
home. The reader can only imagine the hardships, toil, mental an.xiety and great 
suffering endured by the anxious old father, whose snow-white locks and tottering form 
indicated that his days were about numbered, by the long and dangerous journey 
through the enemy's lines to reach his suffering child. Men who went through the 
conflict will remember the difficulties by the wayside, over mountains, and through 
dark, rugged valleys, infested by robbers and guerillas from both armies ; boisterous 
streams to cross, bridges all destroyed and wides'pread desolation showing on every 
side. It was only strong men with brave hearts who were fitted for such a journey, 
and so few who had the courage to undertake it. Rarely are men moved by such 
comjjassion, and after all, as soon as Fletcher had fully regained his strength, the fond 



i8o 
partnts, seeing his strong purpose and courage to go forth to battle, yielded their con- 
sent, sacrificing their last born, in whom their tenderest love and fondest affections 
were centered, upon their country's altar to the fortunes of war, and he left bathed in 
a mother's tears and carrying a fond father's richest blessings, to join the Fiftieth Ten- 
nessee Regiment. He was appointed Adjutant to his brother, Lieutenant-Colonel T. 
W. Beaumont, and was killed at Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25th, 1863, while leading a 
charge with the battle flag in his hands. Never a more courageous, dauntless soldier 
faced a cannon's mouth. He was invincible, a boy of noble impulses, strong mind and 
indomitable will, full of hope and promise, which made it so hard to give him up, and 
it was after this that Mr. Beaumont interested himself so much in behalf of Capt. Crus- 
man, as above related. 

Mr. John Proudfit, an old and eccentric bachelor contemporaneous with Mr. 
Beaumont, and a rival stemmer for the best tobacco crops, was a man of no religion, 
but was proud of his ancestry and stood upon his honor. He would laugh at and 
ridicule neighbor Beaumont's piety, because he was too strict to help the ox out of the 
ditch on Sunday, while he himself was not troubled with any such scruples, and could 
facilitate business very much by loading and unloading boats on Sunday when they 
happened in, and that was nearly every Sunday in boating time. Time, however, wore 
on and Mr. Proudfit was stricken down by disease. Recognizing the near approach 
of the end, he became deeply concerned on the subject of salvation. Ministers and 
kind-hearted friends called frequently to administer comfort and consolation, instruct- 
ing him in the way, but his earnest pleading all the while was, " Clive me the religion 
of Henry Beaumont — I don't want and won't have any other kind." Can the reader 
contemplate so marvelous a character and not conclude that the facts are as intimated 
in the outset : that Mr. Beaumont was a man of God, that his heart was full of the 
Spirit and his daily walk with Christ ? Is it not wonderful beyond credulity that he 
could live so long, do so many things, mix with all classes, socially, religiously and 
commercially, dealing with roughs and honest men alike, and never have a word 
uttered to his discredit ? but to the contrary sought after by all classes as an adviser 
and leader in everything, and honored by all. Henry F. Beaumont was that man, and 
his name is still a power in the land. Let all honor be awarded his memory. It was 
he who first planted the go.spel in Clarksville and inclined all men to hear and accept 
it. It was he who instilled the spirit which has caused so many beautiful spires to 
rise, pointing heavenward, giving Clarksville the proud appellation of the "City ot 
Churches." It was he who infused life into that education which has done so much 
for this lovely city and surrounding county. It was he who shaped that commerce, 
fostering its growth, which now places Clarksville in the list of greatest tobacco markets 
on the continent. It was he who smothered denominational jealousy and religious 
bigotry, uniting all Christian people in one common bond of Christian love and fellow- 
ship and helping each other in their various enterprises. It was he who formed the 
early ties which made the business men of Clarksville, whose names cluster like spark- 
ling gems around his all through this book, so powerful to accomplish any object or 



carry out any enterjirise they undertook. He preached the spirit of union, fidelity, 
earnestness and energy to all, doctors, lawyers, business men and laborers, and that 
s])irit still lives with those who were boys in his declining years. No time was lost in 
his life. He labored incessantly for every good cause, and his success brought pros- 
l^erity to all around, and while he prospered in business his money went lavishly for 
the spread of the gospel, the relief of the poor and every good work. What a grand 
specimen of a man he was ! Let his name be preserved green in the memory, and his 
deeds be recorded as examples for generations. 

Dr. Walter H. Drane. 

Dr. Walter H. Drane, whose name figured so conspicuously in the affairs of 
Clarksville fifty years ago and up to the late war, was born in Montgomery county, 
Maryland, November ist, 1798. When he was qi'.ite a boy, ten or twelve years of 
age, his parents moved to Logan county, Kentucky, where he grew up to young man- 
hood. Li 1822 he graduated from the medical depart- 
ment of Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky., 
and came to Clarksville and commenced the practice 
of his profession. He became one of the people, and 
being a young man of solid character, commanding ap- 
pearance, bright intellect and greatly devoted to his 
profession, he gained public confidence and a large 
and lucrative practice at once, in which he was emin- 
ently successful and became distinguished, especially 
in the practice of surgery. The young doctor, however, 
was not here long until he became enamored with (nn 
of Clarksville's fairest charmers. Miss Eliza J. McCluu, 
daughter of Hugh McClure, one of the wealthiest ciii- 
zens of the town. Miss Eliza was then the reigning belle uf the town and .surrounding 
country, and among her many suitors she wisely chose the young doctor of such 
handsome personnel, elegant manners, highly cultivated intellect and mind richly 
stored with general information. They were married in 1825, and it was indeed a 
happy union. They set out to make the most of life, and were not slow to improve 
every opportunity. Dr. Drane devoted his time to his profession, and early identified 
himself with all the important matters and interests of the town and county, and con- 
tinued through life a prominent and representative citizen. He took great interest in 
all public affairs and especially educational facilities, from the foundation of that grand 
old classical institution, the Clarksville Male Academy, which was erected in the 
Spring of 1837 on the present site of the Southwestern Presbyterian University, and 
first presided over by Rev. Consider Parish, and of the old Female Academy, which 
for a long time was conducted in the old Masonic Hall on Franklin street. He was 
strictly a private citizen, and never held an office or sought any public position, 
though in the highest degree fitted for any public trust. But in all matters of public 




enterprise he was among the foremost, and to his inihlic s])irit and energy the town 
of Clarksville was largely indebted for the building of her turnpikes, bridges and other 
enterprises that gave vigorous growth to the city. He not only aided by his influence 
the building of the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad, but paid $10,000 in 
cash to the enterprise, and when, after the road was built, he was told that his stock 
was worthless and money gone, lie replied: "It makes no difference; we have got 
the railroad." 

In 1843 '*''• I'rane moved out permanently to his farm, the beautiful country 
home on the Hojikinsville road where Dr. Henry T. Drane, the youngest of his chil- 
dren, now resides, .\fter this he gave up the practice of his profession and devoted 
himself to the cultivation of his farm, and it was at this time he began to operate in 
tobacco, and soon became largely interested in the manufacture of the same for the 
English market, in which he was eminently successful, and until the beginning of the 
civil war he was extensively engaged in the tobacco business, holding large stocks both 
here and in Europe — it was by continued tobacco operations that the bulk of his hand- 
.some fortune was made. Dr. Drane died at his home October 30th, 1865, and a hand- 
some marble shaft in Greenwood Cemetery marks his last resting place. His good 
wife, who so well performed her part to encourage his efl'orts, counsel his plans and 
applaud his successes, still survives, occupying a lu.xuriant home, the fine old mansion 
fronting College street, opposite Fourth, with great lawn of twenty or more acres and 
beautiful lake. Of eleven children to them born only five are now living : William M. 
Drane, Walter H. Drane, Dr. Henry T. Drane and Mrs. Jennie E. Johnson, of Clarks- 
ville and vicinity, and Edward Drane, of Nashville. 

The name of Dr. Walter H. Drane will ever shine as a jewel among the galaxy of 
bright names of young Clarksville. The men who banded together in the early his- 
tory, when everything was crude and cities were not built in a day nor a year, to carry 
out every laudable enterprise, exercising a powerful moral influence over the peojjle, 
building u\) trade and commerce, giving impetus to agriculture, inspiring healthy sen- 
timent and high princi])les of honor, standing shoulder to shoulder with Henry Beau- 
mont, Col. Crusman, John H. Poston, James B. Reynolds, Dr. Rowley, John Mc- 
Keage, McClure, Charles Bailey, C. .\. Henry, Eli Lockert, Thos. W. Eraser, Thos. 
Barksdale, Isaac Dennison, .\ndrew Vance, Cieorge Boyd, (ialbraith, Cromwell. Brow- 
der and many others who came in during his day. Could these men, with their 
enterprise, have possessed the facilities and advantages of the present day, with a 
thickly populated and wealthy country surrounding, as now, there is no telling what 
they might have accomplished. So great was their influence over the community be- 
cause of their wise counsel and unselfish devotion to the public welfare, forming no 
grindstones for themselves that did not sharpen everybody's ax as well, who had the 
energy to turn the crank, and as they prospered the country around grew rich, and 
Clarksville became a solid town, widely known for the public spirit and enterprise of 
the people. Dr. Drane possessed a strong intellect and practical mind, and but for 
his extreme modesty and retiring disposition he might have risen to distinction in polit- 




i83 

ical life. It was his reliriiiy, unselfish disposition, common practical sense and im- 
swerving integrity that made him a leader and counselor among his associates. 

Pktk.r Onkai.. 

The subject of this sketch was born in 1813, and raised in Montgomery county, 
Tenn., about four miles from the city on the Port Royal road, on the farm known as 
the Oneal Place — later owned by Goodlett Brown, and now occupied by William J. 
Pardue. When quite young he commenced clerking for Sam Vance, and familiarized 
himself with commercial business. October 17th, 1837, 
he entered into partnership with Mr. Thomas F. Pettus 
in New Providence, where they engaged in general 
merchandise and the tobacco storage, commission and 
freighting business at Trice's Landing. They were 
both popular young men, inspired general confidence 
in the public, and received a full share of the country's 
patronage. New Orleans was then the seaboard or 
trading point for all of the Southern and Western coun- 
try, and the business of Pettus & Oneal grew so large 
that it became necessary for the house to be represented 
in that market; consequently Mr. Oneal went to New 
Orleans, opening a receiving and forwarding house 

there for the firm, took charge of the flatboating, etc., and managed that department 
of the business, while Mr. Pettus looked after matters at this end of the line. This 
partnership continued two or three years, when they both thought they saw other 
fields more remunerative, and with less care and responsibility attached. But during 
their partnership the firm succeeded in giving general satisfaction, and not a word dis- 
paraging to their integrity and honest dealings with their customers was ever heard. 

Mr. Oneal was a handsome man, of gentle nature, a benevolent face full of frank 
expressions, was easy to approach from all classes, and consequently became one of 
the most prominent citizens in the county. No man was more highly esteemed for his 
strictly honest and upright character. Mr. Oneal concluded that the better way to 
save what he had accumulated by hard labor and sacrifice would be a retired life, and 
he invested his money in a farm of five hundred acres or more in the lower part of the 
county, and taking pride in the farm, stock raising and tobacco culture, he made a 
success of that, losing none of his identity with the jjeople, but becoming a leading 
sjjirit in agricultural life, and prominent in all public affairs. A good man, full of de- 
votion and a tender feeling for all people in distress or suffering. Mr. Oneal was 
appointed, November 3d, 1867, 'by Judge King to fill the unexpired term of W. E. 
Newell, County Court Clerk. He became a candtdate for the office at the following 
March election, 1867, and was defeated by E. McKenney, a carpet-bagger who setded 
in Clarksville at- the close of the war, and exercised considerable influence over the 
enfranchised colored people, the majority of the white voters being disfranchised at the 



1 84 
time by (lovernor Brownlow's despotism. McKeiiiiey failed to give tlie required bond 
and the office was declared vacant at the April term of the County Court, and Mr. 
Oneal was again appointed to fill the vacancy. At the March election, 1870, he was 
again a candidate and elected by the people for the four year's term over Frank ( ). 
Anderson, a lawyer and one of the most popular young men in the county — the soldier 
candidate — and was re-elected at the .August election, 1874, over Irwin Beaumont, an- 
other popular young man who carried the county as by storm for sheriff. He was 
again a candidate in 1S79, but was defeated by R. D. Moseley, the present Clerk. 
The reader will no doubt feel curious to know the cause of this strong man's defeat. 
It was a matter which his friends would rejoice to have blotted out, but as it cannot 
be, the best way to uphold his noble character is to record the facts. Mr. Oneal had 
been so long in the office, and had the affairs so well in his head, as he thought, that 
he became careless about the proper book entries, and became the servant of his 
friends for every beck and call, such being his generosity that he had no heart or nerve 
to refuse any appeal for assistance, and these facts became generally known. There 
is no disguising the truth that the office was his ruin, bringing him down to poverty, 
dependence and afflictions, t)oth physically and mentally, in his old age. He knew 
well enough himself that something was wrong, and thought he could show the error 
that tangled the affairs of the office, but never could and the matter weighted him 
down the balance of his days. The tacts are that his habit of book-keeping led to fre- 
quent charges against himself that should have been credits, and with so many things 
to tax his memory he never could unravel the mystery, and he gave up everything he 
possessed to meet the demand upon him. The mistake of his life was in accepting 
office at his advanced age after lia\ ing so long retired to the tjuiet life of farming. 
The adage, "once a man and twice a child," was verified in his as in most every old 
man's career. He commenced in the Clerk's office under just such rules as served 
when he was in active business life, never realizing the wide gap that a progressive 
spirit had made in the methods of that day and the time of his returning to active life. 
His training was not of that kind to fit a man for such duties, and it was a pity and 
great misfortune that he should have been deluded into undertaking a business that he 
had no capacity for. This has been the cause of many failures in life. Men don't 
like to grow old, and are slow to realize the change that age effects. No one whu 
knew Peter Oneal personally could believe for a moment that he was dishonest, and 
not a man was ever heard to utter even a suspicion to that effect ; and his many friends 
were not slow to assure him of this fact, and encourage him to meet the matter boldly 
and bravely, and think nothing of it. But all this did no good, and the fact that 
errors which he could not explain existed was what killed him, and there is no question 
at all that he was a pure Christian man. 

The following is an obituary notice written by Dr. J. F. Outlaw, a life-long friend 
who knew him better than the writer, and was more familiar with the incidents of his 
life: "Peter Oneal, a well-known citizen and an ex-County Court Clerk of this 
countv. died at his residence in District No. 21, November 29, 1885, of sarcoma, at the 



i8S 
advanced age of seventy-three years. Mr. Oneal was born in this county in the year 
1813, and as a citizen has shared its prosperity and adversity to the time of his death. 
He was married to Miss Angelina Smith, daughter of James N. Smith, in November, 
1843. His wife Hved but a few years, leaving him three children, two of whom have 
since died. In 1854 he was married to Miss Mildred Radford, w-ho, with four chil- 
dren, and one daughter by his first marriage, survive to mourn his loss. He professed 
religion nearly fifty years ago and joined the Methodist church, of which he remained 
an exem])larv and zealous member to the day of his death. As a Christian, citizen and 
neighbor he had no superior. .V strong Christian love and benevolence predominated 
his whole character, which, blended with an unbounded confidence in the goodness 
and fi(lelit\- of his fellow-man, too often swerved him from the rigid duties of a Inisiness 
life, and as often demonstrated a misplacement of his confidence. He was, unfortun- 
ately, the property of his friends, the needy and oppressed, and his kind, confiding 
heart knew no denial. We \enture the assertion that, during the eleven years he 
served as County Court Clerk, no man ever strove harder, officially, ex-ofificially and 
as a citizen, to accommodate the community and discharge his whole duty as an officer 
than did Mr. Oneal. We are satisfied that he was not aware of the extent of his finan- 
cial embarrassment until he was retired from office. He had an abiding confidence 
that he had performed his whole duty until he took a calm retrospect of his official life 
and discovered with both amazement and regret that the dark shadows of misfortune 
and bankruptcy hovered over him. The kind-hearted, good citizens who knew him 
well will spread the mantle of charity over his mistakes, instead of attempting to tarn- 
ish the character of so good a man by aspersions of corruption. Some men do wrong 
intentionally from sordid motives, but Mr. Oneal's mistakes in a business capacity 
grew out of his confiding, ganerous nature. The writer had been intimately acquainted 
with him for thirty-seven years, and is satisfied that he jjursued a course of scrupulous 
rectitude in all his dealings with his fellow-men. His forgiving nature never allowed 
him to bear malice or ill-will toward even those who betrayed his confidence or sought 
to do him injury. Toward such he exercised a Christian charity as though no wrong 
had been done him. In all the vicissitudes of life he was always the same devout 
Christian, never neglecting his duty to his God, but relying with an undying faith upon 
the promises of his Savior. When misfortune swept from him his worldly goods, and 
penury with its multiplied necessities settled down ujjon his latter days, and disease 
with its i)iercing agonies seized his mortal frame, how beautifully his Christian char- 
acter shone forth through the clouds of adversity and the excruciating agonies of dis- 
ease ! For four long years was he racked with almost intolerable suffering, but not a 
murmur, not a complaint or repining at his situation, escaped his lips, but a Christian 
fortitude equaled only by that of Job's attended him throughout his long illness, light- 
ening his burden, and by the aid of his old family Bible, which was his constant com- 
panion and guide, illuminating his pathway to the haven of rest and enabling him at 
all times to exclaim with his distinguished prototype, " I know that my Redeemer 
liveth.'" 



Rkukf.n Ross. 

One of the ablest and most influential men connected with the early history of 
Montgomery county, was Elder Reuben Ross. The facts for the following brief sketch 
were obtained from the admirable life of his father written by the late Mr. James Ross, 
of this county. 

Reuben Ross was born near the little town of Williamston in Martin county. North 
Carolina, on the 9th of May, 1776. He came of an old Scotch family that emigrated 
to this country early in the 17th century and settled in Virginia. His father, William 
Ross, was born in North Carolina in 1731. His grandfather, also named William, was 
a Virginian by birth, but moved with his family to North Carolina some time prior to 
1730. Reuben was the ninth of ten children. His three oldest brothers, John, 
William and Martin, were soldiers in the revolutionary war, though the oldest was only 
nineteen and the youngest fourteen when the war began. Mr. Ross himself was born 
the year the war began, and of course was too young to take part in it. He remained 
during his childhood on his father's farm on the Roanoke River. The British cruisers 
often ascended as high as Williamston and pillaged and plundered the country round. 
Mr. Ross' father had been wealthy, or at least prosperous, before the outbreak of hos- 
tilities, but the close of the war found him impoverished with a large family on his 
hands. 

Reuben and the other children were given such schooling as their father could 
afford, but the facilities for obtaining an education were at that time small indeed. 
Reuben never went to school altogether, he was accustomed to say afterwards, as much 
as twelve months in his life, and he never saw the inside of a school room after he was 
fourteen years old. Dilworth's Spelling Book and the Psalms of David were the main 
school books in the old field schools in those days. Mr. Ross never looked into an 
English grammar while he was at school. Until his twenty-second year he spent his 
time mainly with his father, leading what appears to have been a careless sort of life, 
hunting, fishing, working a good deal, and reading now and then such old books as he 
could lay hand to. In the Spring of 1798 he met for the first time Miss Mildred Yarrel, 
a beautiful young girl of the same county, and he appears to have tumbled heels over 
head in love with her at first sight. She was only sixteen, and in the opinion of her 
parents was "oer young to marry yet," but he pressed his suit with such fervor and 
vigor that in September of that year they were married. He built him a little house 
of pine and cypress on his father's farm, and settled down to housekeeping. He often 
said that the few years he spent here were the happiest of his life, and his wife never 
forgot the fragrant smell of the pine and cypress in their first house. Here she made a 
profession of religion and joined the Baptist church. He at that time was anything 
else but piously inclined. His wife's conversion, however, appears to have made a 
profound impression upon him. For a while he was much averse to her attaching 
herself to any church, thinking her religion would interfere to some extent with his 
worldly enjoyment. He appears even to have indulged in unusual excesses, hoping 



i87 
tliil:^ to get rid of himselt", but the voice of eonscience was ever at his side. One Sun- 
day, he tells us, he gathered about him a lot of boon companions and they spent the 
day very wicked!) , Soon after this one of the gayest and most thoughtless among 
them was taken sick and died very suddenly. His already troubled conscience smote 
him for having been possibly instrumental in the death of his friend, and also perhaps 
in his eternal loss. He had been brought up in the old Calvanistic school, and they 
tried to console him by telling him if his friend was one of the elect he was undoubtedly 
saved, and if he was not he would have been lost anyway. Arguments of this sort 
Were very common in those days. Mr. Ross began to reflect seriously whether he 
himself was one of the elect or not. At times the awful impression seized upon him 
that he was doomed to eternal damnation. A great cloud rested over him, but he 
woidd not give himself up to des|)air. Like Jacob he wrestled with the angel in the 
dark and finally peace came to him. Alone and solitary, out in the forest near his little 
house of pine and cypress, and near his young wife, who unconsciously was leading 
the way, a calm came over him and he felt "submissive and penitent instead of rebel- 
lious and hardened." He left the great cjuestions of fate and free will to the omnipo- 
tent power that alone can solve them, and humbly resolved to take up his cross here on 
earth and follow his Master. On the ne.xt Tuesday he went with his wife to the old 
.Skewarkey Baptist Church out in the pine woods near VVilliamston, and stood up in 
the congregation and gave in his experience, and soon after he was baptized by Elder 
Luke Ward; the pastor of the church. He was then in the twenty-si.xth year of his 
age and his first desire, he tells us, after his own conversion, was to bring others to 
Christ that they might escape the fearful consequences of dying in their sins. He 
shrank from becoming a minister, for he feared he had not the talent to speak. His 
friends, however, urged him to try and obtained for him "a license to speak to the 
people on the subject of religion whenever he might feel inclined to do so." One of his 
earliest efforts of this sort is thus recorded by his little son James, who accompanied 
him on his mission "to speak to the people": "I remember, almost as far back as 
my recollection reaches, his asking me one day if I did not want to ride with him to 
meeting. Of course, I was very ready for the ride. I was then so small that he had 
to keep one hand behind him a good deal of the time to prevent my falling from the 
horse. On reaching the place, which was, I think, a private residence, there were 
quite a number of people present. On going into the house, I saw on one side of a 
large room a table, and a chair placed near it. When the people came in and filled 
the room, to my astonishment, he took the place by the table, sung a hymn, prayed, 
and commenced preaching, I was greatly astonished, for I had never heard him 
))reach before, or even knew that he was a preacher at all. All seemed to pay the 
greatest attention, and there was at one time much feeling manifested by the audience. 
This must have been very soon after he commenced preaching, and from the number 
of people present he must have been able even then to fi.\ the attention of his hearers 
on what he was saying. No incident of my childhood is more distinctly remembered 
than this. What surjirised me beyond measure was the number of bad words, as I 



considered then, your grandfather used on that occasion. In order to make us child- 
ren avoid everything resembling irreverence or profanity, my two sisters and I were 
taught to substitute other words for many in common use. Instead of saying God, we 
were taught to say ' the Good Man ;' instead of the devil, 'the bad man;' instead of 
heaven, 'the good place;' instead of hell, ' the bad place," or 'the fiery jilace.' I felt 
very much scandalized at hearing him use these bad words so freely, but got on after a 
fashion, though sorely puzzled, until I heard him use the awful word 'damnation.' 
Then I thought he had ruined himself and gave it uj) completely. I could think of no 
excuse to make for him after that." 

His parents were now both dead, he had three children of his own and he felt a 
double duty pressing on him. He must provide for his growing family and he earn- 
estly desired to preach the gospel. He sold his farm on the Roanoke and embarked 
his all in a mercantile venture in Williamston. He found a partner who agreed to run 
the store in town into which he had put his all. He thought this store would support 
his family, and he devoted himself earnestly to the cause of Christ. The result might 
have been foreseen. The partner disappointed him, the store was badly managed, 
and after a brief experience he sold out his entire stock of goods, realizing, for- 
tunately, enough to pay his debts, but having only a few hundred dollars left in the 
world. 

At that time the ears of people living in Virginia and North Carolina were filled with 
wonderful accounts of the Cumberland country, a beautiful land lying west of the AUe- 
ghenies ; and on the 6th of May, 1807, Reuben Ross, with his family and his men 
servants and his maid servants, turned his back on the home of his childhood and set 
out for this new land of promise. His purpose to spread the gospel, however, was 
strong within him, and almost the last thing he did before leaving the old North State 
was to ask and receive ordination as a minister in order that he might not only speak 
to the people but preach the gospel with authority in the new home whither he was 
journeying. On the night of the 4th of July, 1807, he had reached the end of his 
journey and camped on the left bank of Red river, in Montgomery county, not far 
from the little village of Port Royal. He and his family lived for more than a year in 
a little cabin in the )'ard of a man named McGowan, and in the fall of 1808 settled at 
a spot about eight miles nearer Clarksville. During his sojourn at the McGowan place 
his first great family affliction befell him. His children were playing in the yard among 
the autumn leaves and had built a fire of them. The dress of his little daughter Mil- 
dred caught from the flames and the child was so seriously burned that she died soon 
after. She was in her fourth year and named for her mother. "We children thought," 
says the biographer tenderly, "she had come a long, long way to find her little 
grave." 

In March, 1810, Mr. Ross was chosen pastor of the Spring Creek Baptist Church 
in this county. He had preached on many occasions at the old Red River Church 
near Port Royal and at other places, and was already one of the most effective preach- 
ers in the West. The church of which he took charge at Spring Creek was anything 



.89 
else but a ]);ila('e in the way of an edifice. It was built of large po|:ilar logs with cracks 
large enough tor a lioy to crawl through, and for some years did not even have a chim- 
ney. Here the famous old Parson Todevine used to hold forth, and other long-for- 
gotten worthies who were famous in their day. 

In the fall of 1808 Mr. Ross had remo\ed with his family to Saline Creek, in 
Stewart county. He was living on a farm he hail purchased there when he was chosen 
pastor of S]jring Creek Church. He rode constantly from his home in Stewart county 
to Spring Creek, a distance of aliout thirty miles, and preached two days in every week. 
It was his custom to leave home on Friday and reach the vicinity of his church that 
night, preach on Saturday and again on Sunday, and on Monday he returned home. 
'I'luis for four years he was about four days in every week from his home, leaving his 
family in what was then almost a wilderness. After remaining four years in Stewart 
county he returned to the neighborhood of Spring Creek Church and bought a farm in 
181 2 from Mr. Needham Whitfield, on Spring Creek. He cut the logs with his own 
hands and with the aid of his neighbors built the new house into which he moved his 
family. 

About the beginning of the present century there occurred in Southern Kentucky 
and Middle Tennessee a remarkable religious revival which extended to Christians of 
nearly every denomination and was characterized by wonderful manifestations called 
"the jerks." This revival started at the old Red River church and spread not only 
over Tennessee and Kentucky, but even into the Eastern States of the Union and 
lasted in all nearly fifteen years. 

Rider Stone, in chapter sixth of his book, enumerates six kinds of bodily agitations 
during this great excitement. The falling exercise ; the jerks ; the dancing exercise ; 
the barking exercise ; the laughing exercise; and the singing exercise. "The falling 
exercise," he says, "was very common among all classes, both saints and sinners of 
every age, and every grade, from the philosopher to the clown. The subject of this 
exercise would generally, with a piercing scream, fall like a log on the floor, earth or 
mud, and appear as dead. The jerks cannot be so easily described. Sometimes the 
subject of the jerks would be affected in the whole system. When the head alone was 
affected it would be jerked backward and forward, or from side to side, so quickly that 
the features of the face could not be distinguished. When the whole system was 
affected I have seen a person stand in one place and jerk backwards and forward in 
([uick succession, their hands nearly touching the floor behind and before. All classes, 
saints as well as sinners, strong as well as weak, were thus affected. They could not 
account for it, but some have told me these were among the happiest moments of their 
lives. The dancing exercise generally began with the jerks, and was peculiar to pro- 
fessors of religion. The subject, after jerking a while, began to dance, and then the 
jerks would cease. Such dancing was indeed heavenly to the spectators. There was 
nothing in it like levity or calculated to excite levity in beholders. The smile of heaven 
shone in the countenance of the subject, and assimilated to angels appeared the whole 
person. [Rather highly colored I] The barking, as opposers contemptuously called it, 



I9<3 

was nothing but the jerks. A person afflicted with the jerks, especially in the head. 
would often make a grunt or a bark (if you please) from the suddenness of the jerk. 
This name ' barking ' seems to have had its origin from an old Presbyterian preacher 
of East Tennessee. He had gone into the fields for jjrivate devotion and was seized 
with the jerks. Standing near a sapling he caught hold of it to prevent his falling, and 
as his head jerked back he uttered a grunt or kind of noise similar to a bark, his face 
being turned upward. Some wag discovered him in this position, and reported that he 
found him barking up a tree. The laughing exercise was fre(]uent, confined solely to 
the religious. It was a loud, hearty laughter, but one stii generis. It excited laughter 
in no one else. The subject appeared rapturously solemn, and his laughter excited 
solemnity in saint and sinner. It was truly indescribable. The running exercise was 
nothing more than that persons, feeling something of these bodily agitations, through 
fear attempted to run away and thus escape from them, but it commonly happened that 
they ran not far before they fell and became so greatly agitated they could proceed no 
farther. The singing exercise is more unaccountable than anything I ever saw. The 
subject, in a very happy state of mind, would sing nnst melodiously, not from the 
mouth or nose, but from tlie breast entirely, the sound issuing thence. Such music 
silenced everything and attracted the attention of all. It was most heavenly. None 
could ever be tired of hearing it. Dr. J. P. Campbell and myself were together at a 
meeting and were attending to a pious lady thus exercised, and concluded it to be 
something beyond anything we had ever known in nature." 

This is, in part, what Elder Stone saw and heard when he visited Southern Ken- 
tucky in 1 80 1, at the commencement of these strange exercises, e.xpressed in his >ian\' 
or artless way. Lorenzo Dow, while on a tour of preaching in 1804, says : " I passed 
by a meeting house, where I observed the undergrowth had been cut down for a camp- 
meeting, and from fifty to one hundred saplings cut off about breast high, and on 
inquiring about it learned that they had been left for the people to jerk by." This 
excited his curiosity, and on going round he ••found where the people had laid hold 
of them and jerked so powerfully that they had kicked up the earth like horses in fly 
time!" He believed the jerking was '•entirely involuntary, and not to be accounted 
for on any known principle. 

Peter Cartwright in his book s])eaks of the strange bodily exercises of the times, 
and seems to have been rather amused at what he sometimes saw ; "'Just in the midst 
of our controversies on the subject of the powerful exercises among the people under 
preaching, a new exercise broke out among us called the Jerks, which was overwhelm- 
ing in its effects upon the bodies and minds of the people. No matter whether they 
were saints or sinners, they would be taken under a warm song or sermon and seized 
with a convulsive jerking all over, which they could not by any possibility avoid. 
And the more they resisted the more violently they jerked. If they would not strive 
against it and pray in good earnest, it would usually abate. I have seen more than 
five hundred persons jerking at once in my large congregations. Most usually persons 
taken with the jerks, to obtain relief, as they said, would rise up and dance — -some would 



191 
run Init could not get away — some would resist — on such the jerks were most severe. 
To see those proud young gentlemen and ladies, dressed in their silks, jewelry. and 
prunella from top to toe, take the jerks, would often excite my risibility. The first jerk 
or two you would see their fine bonnets, caps and combs fly, and their long, loose hair 
crack almost as loud as a wagoner's whip." 

In 1814 the celebrated Lorenzo Dow preached in Clarksville. He was accom- 
panied by his wife Peggy. He was the most eccentric of all the religious enthusiasts 
of that day. Parson Todevine and even the people who looked on the jerks as super- 
natural visitations could not say whether Dow was crazy or not. He was a man of 
wonderful jjower in the pulpit, traveled all over the United States and afterwards 
nearly all over Europe, generally on foot, and drew enormous crowds wherever he 
went. His wife was as queer a specimen as he was. She followed him patiently over 
two continents and asked no questions. Often she was left with strangers by her hus- 
band with instructions to be taken care of until called for, and for weeks she neither 
saw him nor inquired about him. He was in the hands of the Lord and went whither 
the Lord sent him, and that was enough for her to know. 
I The year 1815 was unusually wet in the early part of the summer, and when the 

hot sun of August came and the rank vegetation began to decay a malarial fever ap- 
, peared that carried off a great number of people and appeared to be especially fatal to 
J the children. Mr. Ross lost four members of his flock, two of whom lay dead in his 
' house at the same time. Thomas, Martin, Reuben and Maria were the names of the 
children he buried this year : the eldest, Maria, about nine years of age and the others 
] younger. The next year, 1815, his daughter Polly, born in the little fragrant pine and 
I cypress cottage in North Carolina, died. In this same year William Ross went to 
I Louisiana on a visit to his friend, ]VIr. Charles Thomas. He went on a flatboat with 
I Major John White, who was taking a load of produce to New Orleans, and returned on 
I horseback through the Indian nation. He was absent in all about three months. 
I In the year 181 7 occurred what turned out to be an important incident in the life 

I of Mr. Ross and in the history of the Baptist church. Mr. Ross had all his life, at 
least since he had begun to think seriously on religious subjects, been troubled upon 
the question of predestination. He had been rai.sed in the hardest and sternest Cal- 
vanistic school. Predestination was the corner stone of the Baptist edifice in the old 
North State from which he came, and in his new home in Tennessee the Baptists clung 
J to the same doctrine tenaciously. Mr. Ross was a great light among them. His 
i influence had grown wonderfully since his arrival in the State in 1807. His strong 
j mind, his strong will, his absolute integrity and his zeal in the cause of Christ, made 
him a prominent figure at that day. But he was never a Calvanist at heart, and by the 
year 18 17 he had made up his mind that it was his duty to announce his views to his 
people whatever the consequences might be. Miss Eliza Norflet, of Port Royal, an 
accomplished and much loved young church member, died in that year, and he was 
called on to preach her funeral sermon. In that .sermon he distincdy announced his 
dissent from the great majority of his people on the subject of predestination, and 



192 

prorla.med himsdf a ••free will Haptist." The cflert was startling. Many at on. c 
ik-. 1 .red tlu-nisclves with him and heartily assented to the new doctrnie. Others, ana 
,mon.. them manv of h,s oldest and best friends, turned their backs on him and walked 
with him no more. .Ml the . hurehes of the Red River .\ssociation became more or 
less agitated on the subject. .V . onvention of delegates was called to meet at the Umon 
meetin- house in Logan countv. Kentucky, with a view to settling the controversy, 
but this was found to be impossible. .Vfterwards the old Red River Associat.on was 
by consent divided into two luanches. the hrst retaining the old name and the second 
called the Bethel Associat.on; the fust holding to the old hard-shell doctnne, the sec- 
ond composed of members agreeing with Elder Ross and advocatmg "freewill as 
preached by him. At the formation of the new association-Bethel-it consisted of 
eiHn churches and about seven hundred members. Before Elder Ross ended his con- 
nection with it it had increased to sixty-two churches with more than seven thousand 
members. In .8.4 Mr. Ross sold his tra. t of land on Si.ring Creek and purchased 
another a few miles off in Montgomery county, which he called Cedar Hill. 

\bout this time occurred the schism in the church over the new doctrines ,,romul- 
cated by Alexander Campbell and his followers. Mr. Ross gave the matter most 
careful investigation, as was his wont, and finally with all his zeal and all his mtluence 
he combatted the ideas ad^ anced by Mr.Vampbell. He did not prevent the seces- 
sion of some members, but he undoubtedly did a great deal toward holding the 
.reat bodv of his people true t„ the doctrines of the Baptist Church as he understood 
diem. No man fought Mr. Campbell more vigorously and more successfully than 

Mr Ross was now growiuu to be an old man. On the 2d day of June. .S47. his 
wife who had been his faithful companion and helpmeet for fifty years, passed away. 
Since first as Mildred Varrell in the North Carolina pine woods she placed her hand in 
his there had never been c-olduess or estrangement between them. After this he lost 
most of his interest in life. He continued to live at Cedar Hill with his three old ser- 
^ants la.ob Vinev and Fanuv. N'iney had come from Carolina and was always the 
house servant. Jacob and Fanny tilled the soil. Thus the old patriarch passed the 
evening of his days under his own vine and fig tree, ha^ ing few wants and surrounded 
by lovin" and affectionate friends. He preached as before as long as he was able. 
In June 1851, he resigned the ministership of his loved Bethel Association. I he 
s the report of the committee appointed by the association on that occa- 



fdUowmg 1 
sion : 



Elder Ross has been Moderator of this Association since its organization in 1825, 
a period of twenty-six years. He can with more propriety than any other man, liviirg 
or dead be designated the father of the Association. The influence resulting from the 
di-nity of his Christian character, and from the salutary counsels he has through sue 
cetsive years imi.arted. cannot be fullv known until the revelations of eternity supply 
all the elements necessarv in making the calculation. This fact precludes the necessity 
of any attempt to make an elaborate report, and the committee request that the brevity 



'93 
they study may be considered more intensely inipressi\e than anything the}- could say. 
They recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: 

'■'■Resolved, That Elder Ross's resignation of the Moderatorship of this body consti- 
tutes an important epoch in its history ; and that the thanks of this body are eminently 
due to him for the impartiality, dignity and affectionate kindness with which he has 
presided over its deliberations. 

" Resolved, That our ardent affection for him prompts us to comi)ly with his request 
to be released from our service, and that in accepting his resignation we cannot sup- 
])re.ss our emotions of sorrow. 

'■'■Resolved, That we will cherish with affectionate veneration the name, the char- 
acter and the labors of our Father in Israel, and offer to God our fervent prayers that 
divine grace may sustain him amid the infirmities of age, and that the sun of his de- 
clining life may set in a cloudless sky." 

In 1852 he tried to resign as pastor of Bethel Church, but the congregation would 
not allow him. They employed an assistant, but would not consent for Mr. Ross for- 
mally to sever his connection with them. In the year 1857 he was persuaded to leave 
his home at Cedar Hill and to live with his daughter Nancy, who had married Mr. 
Morrison, of Logan county, Kentucky. Here he lingered until January, i860. On 
the 19th of that month he called his old servant Fanny and told her to bring him his 
shaving apparatus. "He shaved himself with care," says his biographer, "pared his 
nails, combed his hair and put on fresh clothes. In a few moments he became dizzy 
and fell to the floor. When he was lifted up he said, ' Fanny, I have started on my 
long journey.' " On the morning of January 28, a few minutes before five o'clock, he 
passed peacefully away. He went to join his wife and his children in a land where the 
many problems that had vexed him here are doubdess made very plain. They buried 
him at the old homestead at Cedar Hill, and more than ten years after, on June 20th, 
1 87 1, a memorial service was held at this place. A monument had been erected by 
the Bethel Association to his memory, and here many of his old friends and followers 
were gathered to do him honor. He had left behind him, however, a monument more 
enduring than marble. Those who stood beside his grave on that May day might 
honor themselves, but the}- could not honor him. 

The Chronicle. 

A history of Clarksville would be incomplete without some mention being made 
of the paper whose origin dates back nearly as far as the city itself, and of the leading 
spirits who controlled its columns at different times and who aided with their writings 
to ]nit it on the road to prosperity which it has attained. Therefore the reader will 
pardon the somewhat detailed sketch put upon record in these pages. As to the origin 
of papers in Clarksville prior to our personal knowledge of the printing business, w^e 
remember hearing Josiah Hoskins, Esq., an intelligent gentleman who then resided 
about five miles-from town, say that about the beginning of the present century a small 
sheet was started here called the Rising Sun, but we forget who conducted it. He, 



194 
however, had a copy of the Chronicle printed in 1817, and was of the opinion that 
the paper under that name commenced in 1808 or 1809, and was managed by Francis 
Richardson. Mr. Hoskins had been a subscriber to the Chronicle for nearly fifty 
years at the time of his death, and being a man of undoubted veracity we feel no 
hesitancy in making his statements a part of the history of this now the oldest paper in 
the State of Tennessee. The feeble light which emanated from this miniature Slot was 
soon eclipsed by the more enlarged rays which were reflected by the Chronicle, 
which, as above stated, was started about eight or nine years after the beginning of the 
present century by Francis Richardson. Of Mr. R. the writer knows but little. A 
friend now living knew him to be a man of strict integrity, systematic and painstaking 
in his course of life, and a most suitable character to train the boy of whom we shall 
devote more of the space allotted me in this book. 



EWING P. M CINTV. 

or Mr. McGinty's ancestry we only know that he was of Scotch-Irish descent on 
his father's side, who was said to be a man of most admirable traits of character and a 
great genius, capable of making or doing most anything he saw proper to undertake. 
We first hear of him in Tennessee, but at an early day he removed to the then wilds 
of Ohio, hoping to realize some of this world's goods 
for himself and family, as many inducements seemed 
to be offered in that direction. Failing in this he came 
)ack to this State and located near Palmyra, Mont- 
gomery county. Not long after he died, leaving a wife 
and four children, one son and three daughters. The 
subject of our sketch was born at Palmyra, Montgomery 
county, Tennessee, but owing to the destruction of the 
family Bible and private manuscripts by fire, we cannot 
give exact dates. But, we believe from hearsay, he 
^ became an apprentice to the printing business under 
Mr. F. Richardson, who had charge of the Chronh i.k 
■'''"■'■,' when he removed herewith his widowed mother and 

three sisters. If some one competent to the task could obtain all the facts in his his 
tory, and give a true biograiihy of his life and life work, we know of no one who ever 
lived or died in our community who could have been held up as a model for the rising 
generation who possessed more of the elements of true greatness than did Ewing Pike 
McGinty. Born of poor but intelligent, respectable parents, coming among us a hare- 
footed boy, the main support of mother and sisters, he .soon mastered his trade, and 
very soon thereafter became the owner and editor of the Chronicle. The greater 
]3art of his education was obtained at the type stand and from close application, burn- 
ing midnight oil when mo.st of his associates were wrapped in sleep. With no father 
to watch over him in his association with those of his age at a time when dissipation in 
various ways had so many devotees, it reiiuired moral courage to stem the tide, as he 




195 
did, without lieing contaminated — yea, more stability and moral courage than is re- 
quired to face missiles thick as hail upon the field of battle. Being what is termed a 
self-made man, he was self-reliant, and learned early in life that strict integrity was a 
I)ank which never allowed a man's name to go to protest — albeit the teachings of a 
truly pious mother had instilled honesty, industry and devotion to right and abhorrence 
to wrong in his inmost being, and although he only knew a mother's love and watchful 
care and devotion but a few fleeting years, yet from her teachings he never deviated. 
His was the soul of honor, ([uick to resent a wrong and cjuick to forgive an injur)-. He 
never ceased to have gratitude for favors conferred. Only a short time before his 
death he related an incident, to the point, which took place when he was a mere boy. 
He had gone to Russell ville, Ky., to work, and very soon received intelligence that his 
mother was i|uite ill. True to his noble nature he immediately set out on foot to 
return to minister to the comfort of that, to him, dearest one on earth, when, after 
traveling about one-half the distance, he became footsore and sat down on the roadside 
to rest. Soon after a brother of the late Mrs. G. A. Henry came riding by, and learn- 
ing the situation kindly dismounted and told Mr. McGinty to take the horse and hurry 
home to his sick mother, that he conld hire another horse to convey him home. This 
act of generosity was never lost sight of by young McGinty, but was an incentive to 
urge him forward in the discharge of every obligation and duty of life — and it also 
serves to show us in what estimation he was then held by those whose good opinion 
was worth having, and especially of worth to one like our hero, who was striving for 
the right in his every word and act. 

By dint of indomitable energy, industry and economy he maintained, in a great 
measure, himself and the family, and had the proud satisfaction of living to give his 
sisters a good education and of seeing them married to worthy gentlemen, and all 
settled near him. In return no one ever had more devoted sisters — they viewed him 
as brother and father. The sisters and husbands are yet living. The eldest married 
Mr. G. W. Leigh, now a resident of this city; the second married T. A. Thomas, now 
in Cincinnati; the third is the wife of E. R. W. Thomas, whose home is also in Clarks- 
ville. About the time these marriages took place the writer of this disconnected sketch 
entered the office to learn the business with Mr. McGinty. Here it was that every con- 
tact showed his true inwardness. The more you were with him and the more you 
I knew him the brighter his ennobling traits shone. He took us into his confidence and 
in his bed chamber as a companion. He was a member of the Methodist church and 
! was zealous in every good word and work. He never used the slang phrases of the 
i day — his conver.sation in the office could be repeated in the parlor. After a term of 
I years as editor, the people desiring to show him some honor for services rendered the 

I city and county, called upon him as with one voice to be a candidate for the Legisla- 
ture. If memory serves us correctly, he was the Whig candidate against James T. 
Wynne, a prominent young lawyer and Democrat, in 1848. He was elected by a large 
j majority — many-Democrats voting for him — and served with much distinction to him- 
, self and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. The latter part of this year he 



196 
bought the material which Messrs. A. i\: F. Roberts had used to conduct the Roiit^h 
and Ready, a. large double-medium pajjer they established here in support of Oeneral 
Taylor for the Presidency. Securing this material he commenced the publication of 
the tri-weekly Chronicle, and although it was a live and true exponent of matters and 
things hereabouts, for the lack of patronage it was discontinued in about si.x months, 
with some pecuniary loss. 

It was about this time that he was married to Miss Mary McGavock, a daughter 
of the late John McGavock, of Nashville. She was not only the daughter of a prom- 
inent family in Davidson county, but she was one of the purest and gentlest of her sex; 
tall, graceful, and commanding in appearance, and combined all the noble virtues that 
characterize the true woman. It is not strange, therefore, that she made him a devoted 
wife. The members of the McGavock family yet living revere the name of her hus- 
band, for in his life he occupied a place in their affections beyond mere brother-in-law 
— they remember him for his name's sake. Not long after his union with Miss Mc- 
Gavock, he was called u]jon to become editor-in-chief of the True JF/ir'g, one of the 
leading political dailies then published by McKinney & Co., at Nashville. This posi- 
tion offering him a wider field of usefulness to himself and party, and the additional 
fact of his wife's relatives being in and around Nashville, he at once set about making 
sale of his interest here, which he speedily did by selling the Chronicle to Mr. R. \V. 
Thomas, at that time editor of the Grccit River Whig at Hopkins ville, Ky. In the 
summer of 1849, after winding up his business, he left here for the seat of his future 
labors. 

The position of editor-in-chief of the True Uliig was the last he filled, and that 
only for a few years, when death removed him from the walks of men. In that short 
career he added to his already enviable reputation which brought around him a host 
of firm, iiifluential friends and admirers — rich and poor alike holding him in the high- 
est esteem. His brother-in-law, the now sainted Dr. J. B. McFerrin, when viewing 
him for the last time as he lay in the casket at his home, turning his eyes affectionately 
toward his eldest sister, who was present, remarked: "Mrs. Leigh, there lies a man 
who lived and died without a blot or blemish upon his name." Of the date and at- 
tendant circumstances of his sickness and death we have no particulars — but knowdng 
how he lived we feel assured that he and his lifelong friend, Ur. McF'errin, have met 
to mingle and live together in that sphere freed from pain and death. His remains 
were interred in the McGavock burial ground at Nashville, but after the death of his 
wife the McGavock connection had them removed to Mount Olivet, a new cemetery 
then started near the city, where his body now reposes beneath the sod of a beautiful 
Southern slope, which loving hands do not neglect, but keep it a consecrated spot 
worthy of the honored dead. Notwithstanding he sprung from the humble walks of 
life and had to hew his ow-n way under the most adverse circumstances, the moral de- 
rived from his great will-power, his unpretending but ennobling traits, make his life 
more worthy of imitation by the rising generation than is often found in the history of 
those who had superior advantages and filled more important stations. The bright and 



'97 
untarnished record of his Ht'e from beginning to close, if it could be written in full, 
would stimulate others to emulate his worthy example. No man's life is truly great if 
it fails to point a moral for the benfit of those who come after him. 

Thus has passed away one of nature's noblemen. If bufletting against adversity 
with a heart to do and to dare from honest convictions of right, a hand ever ready to 
help, a lover of his country and his kind, and honoring Clod in all he did, constitute 
greatness, then was he truly great. 

"His life was gentle, and the elements 
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up 
.-Vnd say to all the world, 'This was a man.' " 



We jireface this sketch with a few biographical lines, kindly furnished by a friend, 
which will introduce him to the reader: " Robert Warner Thomas was born near 
Charlottesville. \'a.., in the county of Albermarle, March 21st, 1808. Sent to school 
in early life, under the thorough training of that day he laid the foundation of a solid 
education and became, even before he reached manhood, 
a ripe scholar. In the year 1835 he removed to the State 
of Kentucky, and not long after became the editor of the 
Gncii River JVhig, a weekly paper published at Hopkins- 
ville. and devoted, as its name would indicate, to princi- 
ples of the old Whig party. In June, 1849, he bought 
the Chronicle office from Mr. McGinty, and in July took 
charge of its editorial department. From that date down 
to the breaking out of the civil war he was found ever 
ready at his post, never hesitating to take a position upon 
any of the momentous questions which agitated the country 
during those years, and bold and fearless always in the 
advocacy of what he thought to be right." He was both 
editor and proprietor until October ist, 1857. During those eight >ears he was, by 
common consent, pronounced the ablest political editor in the State, his leading edit- 
orials nearly always finding a place in the columns of his contemporaries. The writer 
of this article conducted the practical department of his office until he disposed of it to 
Neblett & Grant, October ist, 1857, and it was then we made his acquaintance and 
learned to appreciate his generous nature; his high sense of honor; his contempt for 
hypocritical cant; his superior intellectual gifts, both natural and acquired. To truly 
learn a man is to be associated with him in the every-day employments and transactions 
of life, and it was thus we came to know and admire our subject. The entirety of no 
man's motives and actions may not be endorsed by bthers, but in all that goes to make up 
the honorable, courteous, dignified gentleman, especially in a worldly sense, we think 
Mr. 'I'homas was the peer of any man. Born and reared in affluence it was a severe strug- 
gle in old age for him to buffet misfortune, brought on mainly by his too generous 




.98 
nature in placing himself in ]iosition to assur-;' rnd pay the liabilities of others. To 
the appeals of the needy, even were they his enemy, he couid not give a deaf e.ir. but 
repeatedly have known him to give the last farthing from his already depleted purse to 
the stranger whoin he had just met, and whom he never expected to meet again. He 
was wedded in early life to one of Virginia's fairest and most cultured daughters, who 
bore him seven children, four sons and three daughters. His wife, three daughters and 
one son survive him. His eldest daughter is the wife of Judge J. M. Quarles, of Nash- 
ville; his second is wife of J. F. Cummings, of Davidson county; his third is wife of 
R. ^^■hitlock, of Kentucky; the living son is Dr. B. F. Thomas, of New Providence, 
Tenn. .\11 of his sons were valiant soldiers in the Confederate army. 

As has been stated, he sold his entire interest in the Chronicle to Messrs. Neb- 
lett & Grant October ist, 1857, but was retained by them as political editor, in which 
capacity he served until the outbreak of the war, but again filled that position upon 
the resumption of the paper after the cessation of hostilities, and continued in that ca- 
pacity until his death. During the important and exciting political contest which re- 
sulted in the election of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency, no pen wielded greater influence 
or indited abler articles in defense of the Union, or produced sounder arguments ex- 
hibiting the consequences attendant upon secession than can be found in the columns 
of the Chronicle during that stormy period of our history. But. when this section 
determined and did adopt this course, like the true and noble son of the sunny South 
that he was, he did what true men both North and South alone could do, go heart and 
soul with the destiny of his section, to which he owed allegiance by birth, education 
and interest. His trenchant pen was ever after wielded in behalf of the South, and 
although at times he may have exhibited a vindictive spirit and tone, yet his graceful, 
manly and learned productions elicited the admiration of his opponents. One of the 
most polished and finely educated men whom we have known once said in our hear- 
ing: "Your editor is the most chaste, graceful political writer I ever knew; he should 
turn his attention to standard literature, the dirty field of politics, although he is a po- 
litical philosopher, will spoil his pure taste." As it is the intention to embody a 
tribute to him by the citizens at a public meeting, and also to insert some e.xtracts from 
a few other sources, which of themselves would seem to be sufficient to let the world 
liave a fair insight to his character, we will have but little more to say of him whose 
virtues and friendship will ever be held in most grateful remembrance. In .\pril, 
1876, he was called to Nashville as a juror in the Federal Court. Here it was he con- 
tracted pneumonia, from which he died .\|)ril 2 2d, at the residence of his .son-in-law. 
Judge J. M. Quarles, surrounded by his devoted wife and daughter and a few intimate 
friends, aged sixty-eight years, one month and one day. 

The following, taken from the Chronicle of April 29th, 1876, shows the estima- 
tion in which he was held by the citizens of his adopted city : .\t a public meeting of 
the citizens of Clarksville, presided over by Major G. .•\. Henry, held at the Court 
House yesterday evening to express their appreciation of the services and respect for 
the memory of Mr. R. W. Thomas, the full proceedings of which we are unable to 



199 

give, the following preamljle and resolutions were adopted : "The mortal remains ot 
Robert W. Thomas, the veteran editor of Tennessee, have been gently laid in the 
dust, in accordance with the judgment of his Creator, ' Dust thou art, and unto dust 
thou shalt return.' Kind friends ])erformed the last sad oiifice, and with sighs and 
tears consigned these remains to sacred repose, ' where the wicked cease from troubling 
and the weary are at rest.' 'The dust of the valley shall be sweet unto him and every 
man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.' It is according to the 
order of nature and the appointment of the Creator that the brief period of one hun- 
dred years shall bring the still waters of oblivion upon the present living world. 
Robert W. Thomas has been blessed with an active life during sixty-eight years, and 
though originally of a delicate physical organization, his determined purpose to meet 
every emergency in life ujjheld him, and his strength of mind supplemented the defici- 
encies of his body and bore him through life with the ])Ossession of health and strength. 
Therefore in laying him down to his final rest, while with feelings of sorrow we bid 
farewell to our friend, yet we desire to honor his grave with a chaplet of laurel, as one 
who had a Ijrave mind and in the battle of life came off victorious. Wedded in early 
life to a beautiful and accomplished lady, he laid the foundation of that peace and 
serenity which was the chief charm of his life. Having a fine education and an active 
mind fully stored with the riches of modern literature, his conversation was agreeable 
and instructive, and in the family circle, where the interludes consisted of music on 
his sweet violin, the real grace of his character was most conspicuous. He was apt at 
music from his childhood, and all of his family inherited from him a high order of 
musical talent. It follows as a matter of course that his style of composition should 
be, and was, flowing, easy and pure, his sentences as graceful as if modulated by the 
gentle cadences of music. The burden of his life was the giving of popular instruction 
through the newspaper, and this he did better than any man who has ever edited a 
paper in Tennessee. He relied chiefly upon reason to enforce his precepts, but in at- 
tacking his opponents and in controversy, irony and sarcasm were weapons ready to 
his hand. While with one he repulsed and overthrew his adversary, with the other he 
drove him ignominiously from the field. As an instructor of the public he was able 
and efficient, and during his long public life he gave assurance of entire and unswerv- 
ing devotion to the public welfare. During his leisure hours he published some works 
of fiction — as 'The Young Colonel,' and other stories — which evinced a very high 
order of genius. But these were composed during the minutes snatched from a busy 
life, and all his care and labor were centered in his paper, the Chronicle, which will 
always bear the weight of his influence and the impress of his genius. His labors are 
finished. 'The silver cord is loosed — the golden bowl is broken — the pitcher is broken 
at the fountain, and the wheel 'is broken at the cistern.' 'Let the dust return to the 
earth as it was, and the spirit return unto God Wlio gave it.' Therefore, 

''Resolved, That in the loss of Robert W. Thomas, senior editor of the Chron- 
icle, the community has lost an able and earnest servant, a friend to justice, law 
and order, a fearless advocate of popular rights and republican government, and 



200 

an enterprising and enlightened titi/,en. We, as a community, deeply regret his 
loss. 

''Resohcd. That we tender to the members of his family our sympathy, and assure 
them that we feel the loss of our leader in public opinion and our guide in affairs of 
State. 

''liisohrd. That to his bereaved widow we offer all we can give, our unfeigned 
sympathy and this our testimony to the character of a distinguished man." 

From a lengthy correspondence to the Courier-Jpiinial, by " Lew,'' we take the 
following beautiful and truthful e.xtracts : "In politics he was a thorough Whig, and 
his editorials in the exciting canvasses which took place prior to the late war were ex- 
tensively copied throughout the South and West. At the beginning of the war he was 
a staunch Union man, but when the attack was made upon Fort Sumter he gave up all 
hope of sustaining the compact as formed by our forefathers, and, with thousands and 
tens of thousands of the citizens of Tennessee, he took sides with the people of his 
native South. All of his sons were in the Confederate army and gallantly bore their 
part in that terrible conflict until its disastrous termination. Born in affluence and 
reared in luxury, he found in his old age the fortunes of his youth gone from him to 
enhance that of other men. Cienerous to a fault and confiding in his nature, he trusted 
his means to others, or lost it upon that false and abominable practice of security, 
which was a bane to society under the old credit system. The strictest fidelity to his 
friendship was a striking trait in his character. The world, generally speaking, is ex- 
ceedingly prone to undervalue the services of mankind, or rather to calculate them by 
the apparent ease with which they are produced. They can grieve over the withering 
strength and constitution of him whose health has been torn from its iron foundations 
by the sacrifice of ease and rest to the unsatisfying acquisition of gain. But for the 
toils and fatigues, the wrestlings and the frustrated yearnings of the mind the world has 
but little sympathy. Those who struggle with the pen for a feeble sustenance to sup- 
l)ort Itfe, which they know they must sooner or later resign and vanish with it from the 
remembrance of the world — what are their hunger and thirst, and tears and despond- 
encies, that they should be thought of by the opulent and leaders of the world's great 
folly, fashion? His communions with authors and the muse, and the gushings of bet- 
ter thoughts or sound logic which make his writings immortal are received as the rest- 
less inspiration of nature. No one will yield to him the reward of his toils, but he is 
looked upon as a man blessed with genius from a higlier sphere with which to astonish 
the w-orld. The virtues of Robert W. Thomas were of an unobtrusive character. 
They hailed not the public at the street corners, nor did his talents awake the echoes 
of the forum. He had no aspirations for office, and his extreme retiring nature pre- 
vented him from seeking society. When sought by those who admired him, around 
his own hearthstone, his strong conversational powers, together with his vast store of 
knowledge and his brilliant acumen, always left upon the mind of his listeners some- 
thing fit to be remembered. The resolutions and addresses at the large public meeting 
held to-day were but a just and earnest opinion of the whole community of the virtues 



and talents of one who had labored so assiduously for a quarter of a century for the 
interests of his adopted State and county." 

As an exhibition of the feeling and opinion entertained of him by the members of 
this and other States, we append only one, taken from the Nashville Amcncan, which 
in other days had been one of his strongest political opponents: * * * * ''\n 
all essential points one of the very ablest members of the Tennessee press, Mr. Thomas 
has always commanded the respect and good will of his fellow-workers. His opinions 
were formed from careful thought and experience, and in the various positions he took 
upon political questions, none but patriotic motives controlled him. His opponents 
acknowledged the purity and honesty of his purpose, and even the bitterest partisans 
could hardly have been said to hold any ill-will against him. With the exception of 
Col. W. W. Gates, who has recently retired from active professional work, he was the 
oldest editor in Tennessee. For forty years his busy pen had been employed in behalf 
of her material and intellectual advancement, and it is but faint praise to say that but 
few of her sons have passed away whose loss will be more severely felt." 

The quotations from other sources is concluded by an extract from the lengthy 
salutatory of D. F. Wright, M. D., who was the immediate successor of Mr. Thomas 
as editor of the time-honored Chronicle: " In taking the position we expect to occupy 
both in Federal and State politics it would be sufficient to say that we endorse heart 
and soul the principles advocated with so much ability by our lamented predecessor, 
Mr. R. W. Thomas, whose name we cannot mention without a tribute of veneration 
and regret. This, we say, would be a sufficient avowal, but that, since the time when 
his invaluable aid was withdrawn from this journal, first by sickness and afterwards by 
death, the specific forms in which the great struggle has to develop itself have become 
more definite, the opposing forces are deploying into line, and taking up their positions 
in a manner which calls for a corresponding marshalling of our own forces in new forms 
and in more definite order. We are now enabled to foresee where the stress of the 
battle will concentrate and measureably what will be the strategy of the enemy. So 
that even had our illustrious predecessor survived, a new manifesto would have shortly 
been called for, and that manifesto we now proceed to make, deeply conscious of our 
disadvantage in taking uj) the lance which has fallen from the hands of so distinguished 
a champion." 

Several pages of this book could be filled with notices from the press of the aliility 
and worth of the man of whom we write, but it is deemed unnecessary, as his life-work 
has been put upon record, in the Chronicle, by his own ready pen. He has gone to 
appear before the inflexible bar of Goodness and Justice. May we hope it is well with 
him ? We honored when living, and now the tears that fall unbidden at his departure 
well up from hearts within whoSe deepest recesses his virtues will ever be enshrined. 

NEBLETT & CRANT. 

From the .retirement of Mr. Thomas, Oct. i, 1857, the paper was conducted by 
J, S. Neblett and J. A. Grant, under firm name of Neblett & Grant, until Jan. i, 1878, 




a period of nearly twenty-one years. At the tall of Fort Donelson this city was taken 
possession of by Federal troops and occupied from time to time by different forces dur- 
ing the war, which of course necessitated the suspension of the Chronici.k ; but it was 
])rom!)tly resumed upon the cessation of hostilities, and continued by Neblett i!v: drant 
until the date alio\ c mentioned. From a medium-sized sheet before the war, jjrinted 
on a Washington hand press, the office was soon after 
replenished with a Potter jwwer press and the paper 
enlarged to double-medium size, which the increased 
business demanded. Other important facilities were 
added, and now it was that the printing business in 
Clarksville began to assume enlarged proportions, not 
only because of the great advancement in the art, 
which was keeping pace with all other material interests 
iif the country, but to some extent from a commend- 
' ible pride on the i)art of those conducting it and the 
>rospective growth and jjrosperity of our city. Of 
those whose writings ha\e been instrumental, in part, 
m "ivin>' it character and prominence as a journal since 
the dus of the two of whom mention has been made in the outset, may be classed, 
consecutively, D. 1-. Wright. M. D.. Ed- Campbell, Esq., R. H. Yancey, Esq.. and 
Capt. F. .M. Duffy, which last named at present occupies its tripod. These gentlemen 
have made a record ui)on its pages with which the reader is familiar and of which the 
authors need not be ashamed. On account of failing health J. .\. Orant sold his inter- 
est, Jan. I, 1878, to W. P. Titus, the present proprietor, who, with J. S. Neblett. 
under firm name of Neblett & Titus, continued its 
publication until September, 1885, when Mr. Neblett, 
who had shared its fortunes for over twenty years with 
Mr. (Irant (which shows a friendly business and social 
relation for a longer term than is common, and one, 
too, which both gentlemen were exceedingly reluctant 
to sever) was compelled to retire on account, also, of 
feeble health, leaving Mr, Titus sole owner and jnib- 
lisher, Mr. Neblett's connection with the paper cov- 
ered a ]>eriod of twenty-eight years, during which time 
he made an enviable reputation, and had, we believe, 
at the time of withdrawal, been connected with the 
press of the State longer than any man in it. Mr. 
Titus, on assuming entire business control, brought to bear several elements which 
enable one to successfully prosecute such calling. He was young, unencumbered, and 
was a most excellent practical printer, and it was his greatest desire and intention to 
give the public a paper and all letter-press printing executed in the latest and most 
approved of the then advanced style of the art. Although many improvements had 




been made b_\' his ]jredec:essors, he has been adding' from time to time, as liis increasing 
business called for it, until at present he has one of the largest and most complete stocks 
of material, in every department, to be found in the State. The Chronici.i;, in its in- 
cipiency, was printed on a "Ramage" press (similar to the one used b)' l!enj;iniii) 
Franklin, when he and the business were young in years) which had wooden uprights 
to sustain the bed and platen, w hilst the ink was |uit (ju the type by a boy who used 
large round balls made of some kind of soft fabric, and it rec[uired two imjiressions on 
each side of the paper to complete it. This was one of the presses constructed by 
Adam Ramage, who came from .Scotland to Philadelphia about 1790. It was next 
issued on the Smith jjress, the invention of Peter Smith (who, strange to say, was not 
named John) of New \'ork. It was increased a little in size and then printed on the 
Washington jiress, invented by Samuel Rust. Now, its huge cylinder press, with its 




water motor attachment, runs off its large edition of the eight-page paper in one-fourth 
the time it once required, making about one thousand impressions per hour. The job 
department is complete, and is daily turning out work inferior to none that is done in 
the larger cities. In connection with the office, in the same building, is a first-class 
book-bindery, where skilled workmen are employed to do such work in unsurpassed 
style. So now there is no need of sending off, as formerly, for both printing and bind- 
ing can be done in the same house in a manner that will meet the approval of all in 
jirice and quality. 

The present proprietor made a laudable effort to establish a daily in our midst, 
and although he failed to make it a paying enterprise he had the .satisfaction of know- 
ing that it was not because of any fault on his jjart, for the jiublic was loud in its jjraise 



of the daily so long as it was kept up. Thus it will be seen from all the facts obtained 
that the CHRf)NiCLE has been published without intermission (except during the war) 
for at least seventy years, making it the oldest paper in Tennessee. No intelligent 
reader will gainsay the advantages accruing to a city from a well-conducted press. 
The Chronicle, in conjunction with its able, influential contemporaries in journalism 
in this city, has ever held its pages open for the discussion and promulgation of all 
subjects calculated to enhance the best interests of its patrons and the growth and pros- 
perity of the city and surrounding country. We hope and believe that at no distant 
day we will see a live, wide-awake daily established and sustained in Clarksville. The 
rapid growth of the city and its business demands it, and when that devoutly-to-be- 
wished-for time arri\es the proprietor and editor of the Chronicle will be found in 
the van ready and willing to assist in pushing the car ol progress to its ultimate goal, 
tor it has been said, and none will dispute it, that "the printing press is the motor that 
moves the world. Al its birth the nations began to emerge into a new light. The 
roseate hue of its dawn was a blessing to all races from the first, and as its brightening 
rays have increased, so has its influence, and yet it is far from the zenith of its power. 
Like its giant co-worker, electricity, it has its positive and negative modes of acting. 
What one is in the natural world, the other is in the intellectual and moral world. 
The two combined will shape the destinies of the future." 



Eli Lockert. 
But few men leave their names engraved where they may be always seen and read 
on the enduring tablets of time, while many silent workers have left the world the bet 
ter for having had them in it — men whose devotion to truth and honor, while un- 
acknowledged, is nevertheless felt and makes its impress upon the community in which 
they have lived. To this class Eli Lockert belonged. 
It was once publicly said of him by a prominent lawyer 
of Tennessee : " You may eulogize Haniel Webster and 
Henrv Clav ; as for me, I would rather have Eli 
Lockert's character for integrity, true manliness and 
large-heartedness than the reputation of any man of 
them all. He is clean throughout, and you can't say 
that of every man. Man may achieve greatness; no- 
bility of character is of God and is His best gift to 
man." Mr. Lockert's grandfather was a Scotch-Irish- 
man who came to America with seven sons and settled 
in Pennsylvania years before the revolutionary war. 
Two of his sons, disliking the Northern country, moved 
to Chester District, South Carolina. One of these, Aaron, was the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch. At the breaking out of the revolutionary war the two Southern 
brothers enlisted in the rebel army, while the Northern branch adhered to the cause of 
the king and became violent Tories. This political difference caused a breach in the 




205 

family and such bitterness on the part of Aaron and his brother that they even changed 
their name, which had been spelled Lockhart, to Lockert, as it is now spelled by all 
their descendants. In the revolutionary war Aaron, Eli's father, attained the rank of 
colonel and his brother that of captain. Colonel Lockert had a mill on his plantation, 
and while he fought his country's battles his wife, a Welsh woman, ground meal and 
flour and raised provisions for the army. 

Eli Lockert was born on a plantation near the confluence of the Saluda and Broad 
rivers in South Carolina. His father died when he was four years old. When he was 
twenty years of age his mother moved with him to Tennessee, where several of her 
sons had settled and prospered. She bought a farm and a mill seven miles from 
Clarksville, and Mr. Lockert carried the flour, meal and other produce to New Orleans 
in flat-boats, making several successful trips. On the return trips he traveled far and 
wide in the southwest on horseback to view the county, traveling alone through Miss- 
issippi, Arkansas and Indian Territory on his various return trips. Growing tired of 
country life he removed, in 1822 or 1823, to the then small village of Clarksville and 
bought the place on which William Daniel now lives and the square on which the 
Franklin House now stands, and also the square opposite Mrs. Elder's. A genial, 
whole-souled man, he drew about him the choicest spirits of his day and formed ties 
of friendship which lasted through life. About this time Richard Cocke moved from 
Kentucky to Montgomery county, and soon after his cousin. Amy J. Lacy, daughter 
of Batt Lacy and Elizabeth Overton, came on a visit to him. She was noted through- 
out Kentucky for her beauty, grace and intellect, and better still for her rarely beau- 
tiful Christian character. Although outside the pale of the church Mr. Lockert 
inherited his Scotch father's blue Presbyterian faith, and when he learned that Miss 
Lacy was a Presbyterian, he determined to form her acquaintance. Her lovely char- 
acter, descent from the oldest and best families of Virginia and Tennessee, and Pres- 
byterian faith were guarantees of excellence that would wear, as it did, growing only 
brighter with time, sorrow and hardships, to the end of a long and useful life. On his 
part a character for the highest integrity, strength of intellect, combined with a heart 
as tender and sympathetic as a woman's, made him the preferred suitor. Miss Lacy 
remained in Tennessee for a year and then returned to her home near Bloomfield, 
Nelson county, Kentucky, where she and Mr. Lockert were married in 1823. The 
newly married couple came to their home in Clarksville where the Franklin House now 
stands and received the warmest welcome from the townspeople, not many in number 
but among the best in the growing southwest. Mrs. Lockert's active practical Christian 
character began at once to display itself. Like Dorcas of old she devoted herself to 
good works. Night and day she was always ready to wait upon the bedside of the 
sick or suffering, ministering to them untiringly until death or returning health made her 
services no longer necessary. Not once during thei> married life of forty-five years was 
one turned from their door who needed aid or comfort, financially or in any other way. 

Eli Lockert_ would have died a very rich man but for this " weakness," as it was 
called by some of those who made accumulation of money the test of success in life. 



2o6 

Any man who was in distress on account of debt or in need of money to carry on lii*; 
business knew that he had only to ask Mr. Lockert to get money or to secure his naiiH 
upon a note in bank. Notwithstanding that he was almost always a loser by these 
transactions, he never gained worldly "wisdom" by his losses. The last business 
transaction of his life was signing his name to a note for a business man in Clarksville 
for twelve thousand dollars and losing it. The Franklin House square was sold to pay 
security debts. The Daniel place, to which he had moved with his young family and 
which he had adorned and beautified, went to pay a security debt of ten thousand dol- 
lars. He sacrificed his real estate rather than sell his slaves, which had been be- 
queathed to him by his mother with the injunction that he was on no account to part 
with one of them. How true he was to a trust was shown in his care of his slaves; 
for even at the outbreak of the war and in the early part thereof, while firm confidence ' 
in slave property yet remained and when he could have sold them for a large amount, 
he was not even tempted to do so, preferring to keep his obligation rather than to gain 
a substantial fortune by breaking it. He dealt with his word as to his security debts 
as he did as to his own solemn obligations. There was no shuffling, no evasion, no hid- 
ing, no lawsuits, no effort to shift the burden to other shoulders, or even to wrangle 
with co-sureties ; he walked promptly and squarely up like a man and redeemed his 
promise to stand in the place of the defaulting debtor. Without ostentation or hope 
of reward he scattered good deeds along the pathway of his life, giving a home to the 
homeless ones, welcoming the orphan and providing championship for the weak and 
helpless, encouraging the errmg and counseling who needed counsel. He was alwa\s 
ready, too, to help in any way within his means any good work, .\lthough not at that 
time a member of the church, he joined his wife and a few other devoted men and 
women in erecting and furnishing the old Presbyterian church at Clarksville, and the 
minister who preached there once a month made his home alternately with Mr. Lockert 
and Major Joshua Elder, always carrying home with him, together with memory of 
generous hospitality, saddlebags filled with clothing or supplies. 

When South Carolina seceded from the Union, true to his native State and rebel 
blood, Mr. Lockert joined heart and soul in the cessation movement. He not only 
encouraged the young men of his acquaintance to fight for what he considered right 
and honor, but gladly gave up both his sons and his son-in-law when they enlisted in 
the Southern army, and gave them a cheerful God-speed, although himself an old man 
he was the only male member over eight years of age left in the family. He was left 
alone to supply the place of counselor, comforter and protector. Then his heroism 
shone forth. Notwithstanding the weight of sorrow and responsibility which showed 
its effect in bleaching the hair, until now so black, and in bowing the erect figure, he 
carried a smiling face and a cheering word. None believed more firmly in the justice 
of the cause than he, or had more unfailing faith in its success. With the poor women 
and children left at home by the soldiers in the field he shared his provisions and 
money as long as he had provisions left to share. As long as he had a dollar left he 
spent it gladly in clothes for the soldiers and supplies for the families of the needy Con- 



207 

federate. He sacrificed everything rather than take the oath of allegiance to the 
United States, which would cut him off from giving aid and comfort to the soldiers he 
had encouraged to go into the field. Every argument was brought to bear upon him 
to take the oath, but his unfailing reply was : "I have no heritage to leave my children 
but my character for truth and honesty. If I were to take the oath I would be doubly 
false — false to the brave boys who went out to fight trusting in me, and false to the 
Federal government which I could not support. "' Even his enemies appreciated his 
worth and stubborn integrity; for when he died, on the 5th of February, 1865, 
although they had ordered him to take the oath repeatedly, threatened him with arrest 
and issued an order for his removal .South, they sent to the family and asked permission 
to form a guard of honor to escort his remains to the grave, because, they said, they 
honored him above all men. 

Eli Lockert was tall, large and commanding in appearance. In repose his features 
wore a thoughtful air of almost sternness, but he was the most genial, companionable 
and approachable of men. His broad, high forehead and strong brow and chin gave 
sufficient evidence of the manly strength he possessed. His step was firm and con- 
fident but at the same time deferential, saying in all bearings, " I am a man, any man's 
peer, no more.'' Although genial and easy in his manners, and as tender as a woman 
in his sympathies, and of a nature bubbling over with the largest humanity and charity, 
he was a lion when aroused by a bit of meanness or an ignoble act or a speech in his 
presence unworthy of manhood, and then his anger knew no bounds. He could no 
more brook wrong than he could endure suffering. Either called for the exhibition of 
his highest manly qualities for rebuke, or resistance, or relief. He was a man of wide 
reading and both book and practical information, which he imparted with ease and 
[ grace. No man has lived in Clarksville who has more powerfully, although silently 
I and without ostentation or the thought of self, influenced for good by precept, good 
I works and example, the human tide. One good act, one good sentiment enacted, one 
I noble thought uttered, becomes a part of the world's heritage and goes on to the ages 
I never dying, although the name of him who conferred it may perish. His was a life- 
I time of quiet, unostentatious good, proceeding from a truly good heart, and no two 
lives ever better blended, for themselves, or for the community in which they were 
quiet workers daily, than the lives of Eli and of Amy J. Lockert, making one as beau- 
I tiful and serene and peaceful, as the lovely lake that lies sunlit among the hills, clouded 

i sometimes by storms without and overcast heavens, but shining and ever smiling when 
cloud and storm are past ; and with this sunny peace and calm their two lives, made 
i' one, were like the broad, quiet-flowing river, in the freightage of ever-moving good 
they bore for all around and about them. 

i Their descendants are Lacy Lockert, druggist of this city, only surviving child of 

Dr. Charles Lockert, oldest son of Eli and Amy J. I.ockert; James Lacy Lockert and 
his children, of this city; Mrs. Fannie L. Bemiss and children, of New Orleans, widow 
j of the late Dr. S.- M. Bemiss, of that city, and formerly of Louisville, Kentucky ; and 
I Mrs. H. M. Doak and children, now of Nashville, Tennessee, formerly of this city, 



2o8 

and Davis Stone, of Bloomfield, Kentucky, son of an older daughter of Eli and Amy 
J. Lockert. 

John D. Tyler. 
One of the most prominent and best known persons around Clarksville for thirty 
or forty years before the war was Mr. John D. Tyler, who lived in the tipper end of 
the county. He was a famous teacher, and mostly all the bad boys in Clarksville were 
sent to him to be tamed. He was also one of the Whig leaders in the county at a time 
when politics ran high. The following sketch of his life is taken in the main from a 
manuscript sketch of the Tyler family written by Mr. Q. M. Tyler, of Kentucky. 

John D. Tyler was born in Caroline county, Virginia, on the nth day of October, 
1794. His father, Richard Keeling Tyler, was born in the same county on the 27th 
of October, 1760, and his mother, Mary C. Tyler, was also a native of that county, 
having been born there August 3d, 1767. His mother before her marriage was a Miss 
Duke — Mary Clivias Duke her name was — and her 
parents, John and Elizabeth Duke, had removed some 
time before her birth from Hanover to Caroline county. 
The Dukes had come from England some time prior to 
1700 and settled in Hanover county. The Tyler fam- 
ily also came from England at an early date. We find 
them settled in Caroline county early in the eighteenth 
century. William Tyler, the father of Richard K., was 
a planter of large means and large family in that county 
at the time of the outbreak of the revolutionary war. 

Few people in these humdrum times have any idea 
of what life was in the Old Dominion about the.middle 
of the last century. The niggers did all the work and 
the white folks as a rule did all the frolicking. The life of a young gentleman in those 
days, if he had money Or if his father had a plantation and slaves, was about as idle 
and useless as it is possible for life in this world to be. An English traveler riding 
through the Eastern counties in the summer of 1770 was astonished to see a young 
man in perfect health rising at nine in the morning, breakfasting at ten, feeding his 
hounds and going to see his favorite horse watered, and then lying down on a pallet in 
the coolest part of the house and spending his whole forenoon there, dozing and drink- 
ing toddy, with one nigger to fan him and another to keep the flies off him. The rev- 
olution, however, changed all this. The long war impoverished nearly everybod) in 
Virginia, and especially those planters living in the Eastern part of the State, in coun- 
ties along or near the seacoast or bordering on Chesapeake Bay. When Richard K. 
Tyler came to manhood he found himself with little more than a robust constitution 
and a not overly good education to start life with. He accepted the changed condition 
of affairs philosophically, as indeed did all the other members of the family. There is 
still a tradition in the family of how his sister Kitty — a great beauty and belle in her 




209 

day — used to entertain her beaus after the war sitting at the loom weaving cloth like a 
sensible girl as she was. Nobody in all the country round could send the shuttle flying 
like this same Kitty, and with her nimble fingers and her arch and winning ways a very 
fascinating sort of creature she was, indeed, to the young men of that day, if all ac- 
counts be true. 

Mr. Richard K. Tyler married in 1790 and settled down on a farm in Carolina 
near the place of his birth. It was a love match. He was poor and hopeful and she 
was |)Oor and trustful, and they lived together very happily all their days. With his 
family and his few slaves — for he had not many — he spent nearly thirty years of his 
married life here. Here his six children were born, of whom two died in infancy. 
He was certainly inclined to be wild in his youth, but when years and family cares had 
toned him down he mellowed into a first-class gentleman. A kindlier man or one with 
warmer heart you could not find, and popular he was, too, with his neighbors. He 
was a magistrate for many years — one of the old Virginia fox-hunting squires — and he 
was high sheriff of his county at a time when a high sheriff was esteemed to be no 
small personage. He used — unless his memory has been maligned — even in his ma- 
ture years to get gentlemanly merry now and then at musters and on other great occa- 
sions, but even then he never violated the proprieties or did anything but what was 
strictly becoming in an old Virginia gentleman. He was a member of the Episcopal 
Church, as all his fathers had been; inclined to take the world easy and to make the 
very best of life while it was his, but he never knowingly wronged his neighbor or bore 
malice in his heart toward any human being. As long as he lived — and he lived to a 
green old age — he never failed to take his inorning and evening dram or to read his 
daily lessons in the prayer book. 

John Duke Tyler was the second son of this gentleman and it was from this cheer- 
ful hotne in Caroline county that he started to school in the year of grace 1799. He 
was a little boy then not quite five years of age. He had to walk three miles and carry 
his satchel of books and his dinner and cross a little river — the Matoponi, I think — upon 
a foot log. His teacher, or school master as they said in those days, was Peter Nelson, 
an old Scotchman, who was president, faculty and board of trustees of his little insti- 
tute out in the scrub pines. He was a very thorough teacher, this Peter Nelson. No 
boy ever left his school without knowing well what he knew at all. He moreover 
considered it to be his duty to flog the boys all round at regular intervals whether any- 
thing particularly worthy of censure had been done or not. There appeared to be a 
deeply rooted impression at that time that flogging a boy loosened up his hide and 
enabled him to grow, and Peter Nelson was a strong advocate of this doctrine. Little 
Jack therefore, as he was called, not only had to walk his three miles and to cross his 
foot log, but he very often had to take his whipping with the other boys. He was a 
hard student from his earliest childhood. His mother had taught him his letters from 
a "horn book" before he ever darkened old Peter's doors, and he was ready when 
he entered that academy to go right into the Psalms of David, which was a favorite 
text book for young children at that day. He soon became very much devoted to his 



old instructor, and the old man to him. and it became a noted fact in the school that 
the inevitable hickory was applied less frequently to him, and fell more lightly when 
it was applied, than upon any other boy in the institute. 

There was one accomi)lishment which the little boy desired to possess, but which 
his old instructor could not bestow upon him. He wanted to be a fiddler, but the old 
man had no music in his soul. To be a good fiddler was in those days a great accom- 
jilishment. Red headed Thomas Jefferson, then serving his first term as President, had 
in his youth, by his own admission, devoted several hours each day for years to his 
fiddle, and accounted himself the best fiddler in the State. Following this illustrious 
example little John, in his tender youth, devoted all his leisure moments to an instru- 
ment his father had given him, and soon came to be a sort of musical prodigy in his 
neighborhood. It is related of him that before he had quite reached his seventh year 
he was chief fiddler on some festive occasion at which the young men and maidens of 
the surrounding country had gathered, and his skillful handling of the bow elicited no 
small praise from the merry dancers and bystanders. 

Old Peter Nelson presumably attached small importance to music or any other 
light accomplishment, but as his pupil advanced in years he instilled into him Latin 
and Greek by all the severe methods then known. It was Latin in the morning and 
Greek in the evening, and Latin and Greek both at night. School usually took in 
shortly after sunrise and continued with slight intermission until nearly dark, the pupils 
who had some distance to go being dismissed first. When night came each boy, great 
and small, had his task to get. Coal oil lamps were then unknown, star candles had 
not yet been invented, and tallow candles were a lu.Kury to be afforded only on special 
occasions. To enable him to get this task the boy had to go to the pine woods and 
hunt up light wood knots. One of these thrown into the fire would make a famous 
blaze for a while, and by its light a boy, prostrate on the hearth, with his head stuck 
not quite close enough to the blaze to be singed, could fi.x several lines on his memory 
before the light went out and his book was eclipsed. Then sitting up in the darkness 
he could repeat these lines over and over until he was thoroughly familiar with them, 
flinging in a small knot now and then, and refreshing his memory by a momentary 
glance at the page if by accident a word had slipped him. It really was a sjiiendid 
way to memorize a lesson, or to get it by heart as they said then. Many of Mr. Tyler's 
old pupils will remember that he always advised them to memorize in this way. Read 
a few lines, lay the book down, and then repeat those lines over and over again until 
they were thoroughly fixed on the memory. Then a few more lines committed by the 
same process and so on until the whole lesson was gotten. It was the old Virginian 
light wood knots that taught him the efficacy of this plan and he adhered to it as long 
as he lived. 

By the time he was fifteen Mr. Tyler had finished his Latin and Greek course and 
having a very high recommendation from his teacher, he was offered the position of 
assistant teacher in the academy at Warrenton, North Carolina. At this time he was 
six feet high but exceedingly slender. He had never been farther from home in his life 



than Fredericksburg, in the neighboring county of Spottsylvania, and perhaps had never 
sle]jt as much as a week at a time from under his father's roof. It was considerably 
more than a hundred miles to Warrenton, and a hundred miles in those days was more 
than a thousand now, for there were no railroads to whirl one through the country and 
no telegraph to carry instant information in case of sickness. 'I'here was not a turn- 
l)ike in \'irginia or North Carolina, and few post offices or postal routes. For a bo^ 
of fifteen to push out among strange men and set himself up as an instructor of other 
youngsters in a far-off academy in another State was an adventurous undertaking in- 
deed. He went, though, and taught them something more than a year, concealing his 
age from his pupils, for there were many boys in the school older than he. 

In i8i I, when he was in his 17th year, he returned to Virginia and opened a school 
of his own near the spot where he had obtained his own education. It is presumed that 
old Peter Nelson had in the meantime passed to his account, for no one could have 
established a successful school in his neighborhood while he lived, and Mr. Tyler loved 
him far too much to have thought of doing so. Mr. Tyler's youth, of course, was 
known here, but he had twelve months' experience in North Carolina behind him and 
found no difficulty in building up a good school. When the war of 181 2 broke out it 
made a great stir in Virginia, and a company of cavalry was raised in his neighborhood 
of which he was elected captain. This company never saw service, having never been 
called into the field, but from being its commander he acquired the title of captain, 
which remained with him as long as he lived. On December 15th, 1813, when he had 
just turned his nineteenth year, he was married to Miss Harriet Redd, a young lady of 
his county who was about his own age. He bought a farm and went to house- 
keeping, settling near his father and in the midst of many of his relatives and old 
friends. 

Politics ran high in those days. Mr. Tyler, senior, was a pronounced Federalist. 
He took no stock in your Jeffersons, your Madisons or other small fry, but stood b\ 
CJeorge Washington and John Adams and believed in a government, as he was wont to 
say, of gentlemen, for gentlemen and by gentlemen. His son John, however, having 
his own way to make in the world, was for the rights of men, and long before he came 
of age was like most of the young men of his day, a strong Republican or anti-Federal- 
ist. The quarrel between father and son was at times bitter and frequently grew to be 
loud. The neighbors sometimes gathered in to hear the stout debate, the older and 
more thoughtful ones as a rule siding with the father. When young Mr. Tyler came 
of age and was for the first time to exercise the privilege of a free man, he rode many 
miles through the rain, though he might have voted at a different precinct, to kill his 
father's vote, as he said, and when the old gentleman voted the Federalist ticket he 
cried out for the Republican immediately after, to the great delight of certain young- 
sters present, who had not too much respect, perhaps, for any kind of control, govern- 
mental or parental. The father lived to see the day when he and his son, each having 
modified his views considerably, were heartily in accord politically, the one being no 
longer a Federalist nor the other a Red Re]Hil)lican. 



Ry the year 1817 affairs in Virginia had grown desperate with many formerly 
well-to-do people, and it was exceedingly diflficult for persons of limited means to 
live. The credit system which had prevailed everywhere for years had undermined 
society. Tobacco, the only staple, was exceedingly low and scarcely repaid cost of 
shipment to Europe. Everybody was in debt, and what was worse, as one debtor 
was pressed he was forced in turn to press those who owed him, and as the credit 
system was universal the depression was general and extended to all classes of people, 
high and low. Mr. Jefferson, the sage of Monticello, then in retirement, was com- 
pelled in his old age to sell his books to Congress, and afterward to petition the 
Virginia Legislature to allow him to sell his home by a lottery scheme in order that he 
might raise money enough to pay his debts. Mr. Tyler, senior, was then getting to be 
an old man, but he and his son, after conference, determined that they would leave 
the Old Dominion and move to Tennessee, which was then considered the Far West. 
Some relatives and many friends had already preceded them, so they were not coming 
entirely to a land of strangers. The Hamptons, Triggs, Minors, Fortsons, Carneysand 
others had come from about the same portion of Virginia and settled in Montgomery 
county. 

In the Fall of 1818 the Tylers, father and son, with their families, bid farewell to 
old Virginia and turned their faces to the West. They all came in wagons except 
Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, Sr. , who travelled in an old family carriage that made the trip 
safely, and did not fall to pieces until many and many a year after they reached Ten- 
nessee. About two months in all they viere, up hill and down hill, over the AUeghe- 
nies and through the deep valleys on either side. A famous journey in those days, one 
long remembered, and every incident in it detailed over and over again in after life by 
the travelers when they had settled in their new homes. At night they all slept in 
tents except again old Mr. Tyler and his wife, who sought the shelter of a friendly 
farm house whenever one could be found. A journey from here to China now would 
be a small matter compared to this overland trip from old Virginia in the year 181 8. 
At last the whole cavalcade, niggers and whites, drew up one bleak December evening 
about sundown on the bank of Red River, at the famous old town of Port Royal, and 
their long journey was well nigh ended. The next day they moved on a few miles and 
unloaded and staid a while with John and Philip Redd, who then owned a farm or 
farms about one mile from Hampton's spring in this county. John and Philip Redd 
were brothers of the wife of John D. Tyler, and moved afterwards to Trigg county, 
Kentucky, where many of their descendants are now living. 

Mr. Tyler, Sr., rented land from the Redds at first, but soon after bought what is 
known as the Tyler place in District No. i in this county, and resided there until his 
death in 1S30. His wife had died the year before. Perhaps a more lovable and 
beloved old couple never lived than these two old people after their advent to Ten- 
nessee. Old age not only did not sour them, but their tempers like good wine sweet- 
ened with advancing years. At each of the many joyous occasions when young people 
met at his house to make merry, the old gentleman and his wife would dance the stately 



213 

minuet to their immense delight. It was a sight to see this venerable old couple, with 
their courtseying and their bowing and their unaffected deference and respect for each 
other, going through the mazes of this old time dance. They had come to be each 
necessary to the happiness of the other, and it was not strange that they who had been 
in life so long united should not in death be long divided. 

John D. Tyler began at once after his arrival in this State to follow his avocation 
of teacher, for he had deliberately made up his mind, as he said afterwards, that it was 
the most useful calling one could have on earth. He was a firmer man than his father, 
with a broader mind and a much better education. He taught from January, 1819, to 
December, 1823, at a place which he rented from Major James Johnson on what is 
now the Russellville pike, about ten miles from Clarksville. This place at first had 
only a two room log house on it, and his family occupied one of these rooms while he 
taught in the other. After the first year a school room was built capable of holding 
fifty jHipils, and he had it full nearly all the time. In 1820 he had the misfortune to 
lose his wife. She died on the 8th of October of that year, leaving three children, the 
oldest not quite six years of age. 

Mr. Tyler continued for more than three years after the death of his wife to teach 
at this place, and although there was no lady member of his family he had as many 
boarders as he would accept. His reputation both as a ripe scholar and a disciplin- 
arian was very high. George Boyd and James Ross were among his pupils in 1822 
and 1823. He was accustomed to say afterward that they were among the closest stu- 
dents he had ever known. Mr. Tyler up to this time had never taught Greek in his 
school. He had studied it under old Peter Nelson, but while he taught at Warrenton 
and in Virginia he had confined himself to the English and Latin languages. In 1822 
he started a Greek class, of which young Ross and Boyd were members. Mr. Tyler 
of course was teacher and they were supposed to be pupils, but for many months it was 
nip and tuck as to which of the three was head of the class. Ross, who was a son of 
Elder Reuben Ross, attended school from his father's home, which was not far off; 
Boyd, however, was a boarder, and stayed not only under the same roof but in the 
room at night with his teacher, and he and Mr. Tyler used to study Greek at the same 
table. Often the teacher would propose late at night that they should retire, and after 
the pupil was sound asleep would get up softly and light the candle and go to work on 
the Greek again. This trick, however, hardly ever won. Boyd was a light sleeper, 
and the minute he opened his eyes and found Mr. Tyler at study he would bounce out 
of bed and get his book and never tire until his teacher again said quit. A friendship 
was thus formed between the two students which lasted as long as Mr. Boyd lived. 

In 1827 Mr. Tyler, whose health up to this time had never been very good, con- 
cluded to take a horseback trip to his old home in Caroline county, Virginia, from 
which he had been absent nearly nine years. This was among the most pleasant ex- 
periences of his life. He was accompanied by Mr. Richard Waller, another old Vir- 
ginian who had come out some years before the Tylers. Day after day, in rain or 
shine, these two gentlemen jogged along toward the Old Dominion for nearly two 



months in the Spring and early Summer of that year. They took things leisurely, 
stopping at places of interest along the road and staying as long as inclination prompted. 
Most of the Summer was spent among old friends and relatives, and in the Fall of the 
year they mounted their horses and rode back to Tennessee. 

Mr. Tyler's health was much improved by the trip, and on his return he opened a 
school at Port Royal, where he taught until the end of the year 1831. In Januarv, 
1830, he married Miss Mildred Waller, daughter of the gentleman who had been his 
companion on his trip to Virginia. Port Royal at that time, with the society of the 
Hopsons, the Norfleets, the Northingtons and others, was among the most agreeable 
places in Tennessee or Kentucky. Mr. Tyler always looked back upon his stay there 
with pleasure, and he formed friendships there which lasted as long as he lived. 

In 1 83 1 he removed to the farm upon which his father had lived in District No. i. 
He purchased this place and made it his home as long as he lived. He taught here 
almost uninterruptedly for twenty-seven years, and to this place, out in the country ten 
miles from any town of size, came boys from almost every State in the South to be 
educated. In more than one instance, parents or guardians would come from .\labama 
or Mississippi and bring pupils not simply to be taught for a session or two by him, but 
to remain members of his family and to be under his guidance morally and mentally 
until they came to manhood. 

One peculiarity of Mr. Tyler as a teacher was that he never lost an opportunity 
of instilling high moral principles into his students. Every pupil of his was taught to 
be a gentleman ; to be honest for honesty's sake. Few men attached less importance 
to the mere breath of popular applause than he, but character was everything with 
him. He was famous as a disciplinarian, and yet as a rule he was kind and compan- 
ionable with his students. Mr. James Ross, one of his old pupils, wrote of him years 
after he had left his school : "I always considered him a superior and in many respects 
a remarkable man. While all proceeded smoothly in his school he was singularly mild 
and gentle. Put when insubordination or defiance made its appearance — which he was 
quick to observe — and the crisis came, he met it with a nerve that never failed fully to 
impress all with the knowledge that he was master of the situation." 

In 1843 he was nominated by the Whigs of the county for the Legislature. He 
was not present at the convention and had no desire to enter political life. He was a 
strong Whig and well versed in all the issues of the day, however, and as his friends 
insisted on his accepting the nomination, he concluded to make the canvas. His first 
effort to speak in public was at Hunt's Mill in District No. 17. He made a complete 
failure here and was strongly tempted to abandon the canvas. As soon as he stood u|i 
and faced the public, he said, every idea he had abandoned him and he was utterly 
helpless. He afterward became a very strong and earnest speaker. In 1844 he was 
placed as one of the electors on the Whig ticket and stumped his district for Henry Clay. 
In 1845 1^^ ^^"^^ elected to the State Senate, and in 1847 he was again chosen to the 
Senate, repre.senting Montgomery, Robertson and Stewart counties. Public life, how- 
ever, never suited him. He loved his home and his books. There was nothing of the 



politician in his nature. All his life he had been teaching his boys that ))rinciijle should 
never be sacrificed for mere expediency, and he was therefore never at home in a field 
where the rule was so often reversed. 

Mr. N. H. Allen, who was his room mate at Nashville during the Winter of 1843, 
wrote of him after his death in a letter to the Clarksville Chronicle: "Mr. Tyler's 
modesty and goodness of heart called constantly around him and at his room the best 
society of the city. It was during his term of service in the Legislature that I became 
more intimate with him than I formerly had been, and I this day thank a kind jjrovi- 
dence tor that increased intimacy. It was my good fortune to be his room mate for 
four months. We were nightly together. We warmed at the same fire and washed 
from the same pitcher; conversed on many subjects, and as a matter of course fre- 
quently entertained different opinions; but never did he in supporting his views use an 
expression calculated to excite an emotion of displeasure. He maintained his position 
with firmness, but so couteously, that the most fastidious could take no exception. He 
indulged in no vice or rude folly; and never did I hear him use one solitary expression 
that the most modest female might not have used without causing her cheek to crim- 
son. Indeed, I have no hesitation in saying he was altogether the most agreeable 
]irivate companion I ever knew." 

After his public experience he reopened his school at his home in the country and 
taught ahnost without intermission until 1857. He was particularly bright, cheerful 
and companionable as he grew older; fond of the society of young people and often 
enlivening the evenings with his violin, of which he was fond as long as he lived. 

I Whenever the young people wanted to dance he was always glad to make the music for 
them. During the long winter nights he would frequently read aloud to his family 
from Shakspeare or from some Greek author, translating as he went. Shakspeare was 

I his favorite author, and as he was a fine reader many of the characters in this book 

I became almost like inmates of the family. The children, and even the house servants, 

1 were familiar with the sayings of Falstaff. 

' Mr. Tyler's health bet;ame better and he grew stouter as years advanced. He 

I had been very delicate in his youth, and up to forty years of age was tall and slender. 

I After that age he increased in flesh and was almost the picture of health, taking a great 
deal of exercise on foot and on horseback. In May, i860, he rode to Clarksville, a 

I distance of ten miles from his home, on horseback, and returning in the evening was 
caught in a shower and contracted a cold. His indisposition was at first thought to be 

I slight, but in a few days erysipelas set up and he died on the 20th of that month. 

Few lives have been more useful than his. Few men, it is believed, have departed 
from their sphere of usefulness leaving more sincere friends behind them. He never 
coveted power or place or sought to curry favor with those who held high position. 
He strove only to make himself useful in his day and generation, to do the little good 
he might while here on earth, and those who sat under his teaching for so many years 
and who have • now grown to manhood, can attest whether or not his life was a 
failure. 



2l6 

He had seen the government grow from its infancy — for he was born in the ad- 
ministration of Ceorge Washington— and become one of the greatest powers of the 
earth. The storm of the civil war was already brewing when they laid him to rest, and 
ere a twelve month had passed away it had broken in all its fury over the heads not 
only of his countrymen, but of his neighbors and his family. All the land resounded 
with the clamor and the clash of arms; the hand of brother was lifted against brother, 
and happy homes were given to the flames. Wreck and ruin were everywhere, and 
wi]d disorder reigned. But all was peace with him. 

Colonel Cornelius Crusman. 
Since the days of Moses Renfro, the first ^vhite settler on the spot where Clarks- 
ville now stands, there has been no citizen more generous and chivalrous than Cornelius 
Crusman. His friends claimed for him that he was the bravest and yet the most diffi- 
dent of high-spirited gentlemen. In person tall, erect, of commanding appearance and 
graceful carriage, yet remarkable for the quietness and 
gentleness of his manners towards all classes. While 
sheriff at a time when many reckless men were to be 
dealt with, he arrested very quiedy a known desperado, 
and upon inquiry being made of the outlaw how it was 
that he yielded so readily on this occasion, he replied 
that he was so astonished to find the sheriff" such a 
pleasant looking fellow with such good manners that he 
hadn't made up his mind what to do until it was too 
late. Colonel Crusman, for by this title was he known 
from youth, was born in Charlotteville, Virginia, April 
14th, 1800. He was the youngest of four children, a 
half-brother and sister by his mother's first marriage, 
i^i ..ho died in infancy. At four or five years of age he was left an or- 
lihan, and his early training devolved upon a most devoted half-sister. About the year 
1S13 the Indian wars had brought Kentucky and Tennessee into great prominence, and 
thev were then only beginning to be known to the Virginians and Carolinians as the 
far Southwest, rich in soil, with delightful climate, and an abundance of fine running 
water. Emigration, while not yet at flood-tide, was setting in earnesdy and numbers 
of families from Virginia were preparing to "go West." The boys at school, forgetting 
their books, were listening with eagerness to news of preparations for the trip to these 
far-off Western States, and the more ambitious and adventurous began to long to join 
some of these camps of emigrants. Young Crusman, then a lad of about thirteen years, 
so determined to try the frontier life, before getting the consent of his sister and family 
had already made an arrangement to apprentice himself to the saddler's trade with a 
Mr. Bell, who was one of a party going to seek homes in Kentucky and Tennessee. 
Finding the lad so determined as not to be dissuaded the family prepared him for his 
trip and bade him an aff"ectionate farewell. It was thus that about the year 1813 Cor- 




tud 



217 

nelius Crusman with his employer reached Clarksville. At that day the saddlery busi- 
ness was an important one, even the stage coach being rarely introduced, and all travel 
bv men and women was done on horseback. Young Crusman proved an apt scholar 
and soon made a reputation not only for handsome work of his own but for faithful 
application to his employer's interest. Before the five years of apprenticeship expired 
his employer died and friends at once came forward and enabled Crusman to take the 
business in his own name, although he had not yet reached his majority. Business 
prospered with him, and by industry and energy was largely extended by introducing 
his manufactured articles into the adjoining counties, and including all sorts of leather 
goods and boots and shoes in the stock ; and as the country was settled up vehicles be- 
came more numerous and harness began to some extent to take the place of saddles. 
This also was made a branch of the business, and the business grew into quite a large 
manufacturing and mercantile concern, with excellent reputation for the quality of the 
articles they made. 

The young saddler and merchant, as his business prospered, began investing in 
real estate, and built several business houses on the south side of Franklin street, be- 
tween First and Second, and became possessed of a number of lots and considerable 
land adjoining the town. The ground now occupied by so many elegant residences 
along Second and Madison streets was then out of town, and was a portion of his real 
estate, and all of the property south of our present Court House lying between First 
and Second streets and extending way lieyond South Clarksville was partly sown in 
bluegrass, and these were known as " Crusman's bluegrass pastures." His fondness 
for fine horses manifested itself early in life, and being himself a daring rider with re- 
markable knowledge of the temper and disposition of horses, he was soon quite an 
authority on this subject. He built stables about where Second and Madison streets 
now are and went to Virginia and brought out a number of thoroughbred horses. This 
was probably the first importation of thoroughbred horses to Montgomery county or 
surrounding country. This importation gave a new impetus to fine stock breeding. 
Training tracks were opened and blood-horse associations were formed, and Clarksville 
became headquarters for the turfmen. 

For many years after the war of 1812 the military spirit prevailed all over the 
country. It seems that the country was in danger of invasion at any time, either by 
the Indians or the British, notwithstanding the glorious thrashings both had so often re- 
ceived at the hands of the Americans. The law required that the name of every able- 
bodied man of lawful age be enrolled on the muster list for immediate service, drilling 
at regularly stated times under strict military discipline. If men failed to attend drill 
service without a good excuse reiidered to the proper officers, they were heavily fined 
and punished. Very few people, however, paid, fines ; they all preferred to attend 
muster. It was a day of recreation — a kind of reunion — for fun and frolic, and more- 

iover the patriotism of a man who would neglect or evade muster was impugned, and 
the finger of scorn pointed at him. Cornelius Crusman was not here long before he 
I caught the spirit, and never a braver young heart swelled with patriotic emotions. 



2l8 

Although but a stripHng of fifteen or sixteen years, he had his name enrolled as a mem- 
her of the militia company of the town, taking great pride in it, and evinced consider- 
able aptitude for military training and a familiarity with the tactics. Being young an<l 
active and with commanding appearance, he was soon made captain of the company, 
and shortly after was elected colonel of the regiment which held its muster at or near 
Clarksville. This is the way he came by his military title, and was ever after this 
known as Colonel Crusman. The muster roll was kept up until the law was re- 
pealed some time about 183S or 1S40, and he gained distinction while quite a young 
man. 

.\bout the time young Crusman came here, there lived at Greensburg, (Ireen 
county, Ky. , a gentleman of Scotch-Irish descent noted for his strict Presbyterianism 
and Jacksonian Democracy. He was a lawyer of reputation and soldier of some dis- 
tmction. (len. J. J. Allen was the gentleman referred to. He lived in a ciuaint old 
residence known far and near as "the old stone and brick house." The buildini; still 
stands as one of the old land marks of Southern Kentucky, a relic of the past. He 
was a chivalrous gentleman in every sense, was one of General Jackson's personal and 
Ultimate friends, a leading Jackson Democrat of Kentucky. He kept open house for 
his friends and was noted for his generous hospitality. "The old stone and brick 
house" was considered headquarters for Southern Kentucky Democracy, preachers 
and men of prominence. These were not all, for there was a still greater attraction 
about this grand old Kentucky home, which kept the house thronged with another class 
of visitors. There was scarcely a young man of promise and good parentage within a 
hundred miles of the jjlace who did not go first or last to pay devotion to the charms 
of the General's accomplished daughters. Among the number was the young Colonel 
trom Clarksville. The community ridiculed Crusman's chances of winning the fair 
prize. The fact that he sported thoroughbred horses, was a handsome man of stately 
military bearing, courtly in manners, respectful to everybody, liberal-hearted and 
generous, and a man of more than ordinary prominence, made no difference; people 
who knew General Allen's intense political feelings and uncompromising Democracy, 
did not believe that such an outspoken enthusiastic Clay Whig from Tennessee, the 
home of General Jackson, could ever gain the consent of the old blue-stocking Presby- 
terian, Jackson's most earnest supporter, though he should win the affections of his 
lovely daughter. The public, however, was mistaken in these conjectures. General 
Allen did not allow his political prejudices to carry him to that extent. He thought 
more of the happiness of his daughter, and while condemning Crusman's politics, it is 
evidence of how bitter were political prejudices of that day, when they should be a 
matter of consideration even in all domestic arrangements. 

So It was that Crusman's suit was successful, and on the 4th of April, 1S27, the 
marriage of Colonel Cornelius Crusman and Miss Margaret Edwards Allen was solemn- 
ized at the noted old brick and stone homestead, by Rev. John Howe, a Presbyterian 
divine of great reputation throughout the Green River country at that day. Soon after 
this event, in 1828, Colonel Crusman built for himself a brick residence, which was 



219 

one of the first brick houses erected in Clarksville. The same house is now occupied 
liy Mr. R. H. Burney on Second street, between Commerce and Madison, with some 
additions to it. A little later he built the brick. house on Main street, now owned and 
occui)ied, with additions to it, as a residence, by Mr. Bryce Stewart. 

At that day the office of Sheriff was a very important one, and while doing a pros- 
perous business, Colonel Crusman was yet induced to accept for a first term, and was 
afterwards re-elected, serving two terms as Sheriff of Montgomery county. In 1S41 
he became partner with George W. Cheatham in the City Hotel at Nashville, then tlie 
leading house of that place, situated on the east side of the Public Square, on the river 
bank, near the present location of the Methodist Publishing House. This partnership, 
however, did not continue long. In 1842, under the bankrupt law, he was appointed 
assignee for the counties of Montgomery, Stewart, Dickson and Humphreys, and served 
until the law was repealed. Colonel Crusman had strong convictions that Clarksville, 
by its location and advantageous surrounding, was destined, by the combination of 
some capital and energy, to become a great tobacco manufacturing center, although 
there was but little tobacco, comparatively, used then, and over half of the home con- 
sumption used in the rough natural state, their being no tax requiring manufacturer's 
license to sell it. So strong was his faith in this conclusion, that he determined to try 
the experiment, and form a nucleus for the enterprise, and some time about 1848 or 
1S49, he established the first tobacco manufactory in Clarksville, beginning on a small 
scale the manufacture of cigars and plug tobacco. The business, however, did not get 
fairly under headway, when the California gold fever broke out. The whole country 
was wild with the excitement, great fortunes in gold lay spread out beneath the feet 
everywhere men walked, and all they needed was a rake, a shovel, and a dozen sacks 
to hold the gold, and a shot gun to kill the Indians, Mexicans, bears and wild cats. 
Companies were formed in almost every town in the United States. One or two com- 
panies were organized in Clarksville and equipped for the long, weary march across 
the wild desert to the far away glittering shores of the golden State. Colonel Crusman 
was made commander of one of these companies, and they set out on the long march, 
marching day by day through the scortching sands of the desert, tracking the way by 
the bleaching bones of thousands of mules, horses, oxen and men, famished by the 
wayside for want of water. Being prepared for the great fatigue. Colonel Crusman's 
company reached the gold regions in safety, but on their arrival, instead of shovels 
and rakes, they needed picks, sledge hammers, drills, stone crushers and gold wa.shers. 
In fact they needed everything they didn't have, and had nothing that they needed. 
Men crowded in from every direction at such a rate that it seemed almost impossible 
to feed the immense throng. It required all the gold that a man could dig during the 
day, to ])ay for his supper at night, and he counted himself as one of the fortunate. 
Colonel Crusman stuck to his mining operations some time; as long as the faith of his 
I men could hold out, and that was until everything visible was exhausted, because strong 
j hearted, brave ftien, leaving luxuriant homes on such an excursion, did not like to 
■ return to the bosom of loved ones penniless, and they stuck to the gold digging as long 



220 

as there was a spark of hope, each man trusting to the luck of a miner for a ten pound 
nugget of solid gold to make him rich. But this superstition profited nothing. 

In short, the Clarksville company found gold, but with the crude machinery for 
mining and expensive living, after gold seekers had flocked in filling all the space, ren- 
dered mining operations unsuccessful, and the Clarksville company disbanded and the 
men turned their attention to other things to make money enough to pay the expense 
of their return. Colonel Crusman was appointed to a deputy collectorship at the port 
of San Francisco, and filled the office until stricken with an attack of fever, which ter- 
minated his life in that city in 1S50. 

To Cornelius and .Margaret Crusman were born in Clarksville seven children. 
The first, a daughter Mary, married E. Howard, a prominent business man and banker; 
the second, a daughter Nora, married J. D. Champlin; Cornelius died in infancy; a 
second son by this name died in young manhood; James J., John and Ellen. The 
two last-named died in childhood. The good Christian wife and mother who per- 
formed so well her part in society, whose presence was ever like a charm and deeds 
full of loving kindness, died in 1874, in the sixty-third year of her age. The eldest 
daughter, Mrs. Mary Howard, died some years later, leaving as the only descendants 
of this old and highly esteemed Clarksville family who now survive, Captain Edward 
M. Howard, the grandson, and Captain James J. Crusman, the fifth child. The 
writer, gathering facts and incidents concerning the life and character of this remark- 
able man in connection with early Clarksville times, finds an incident that was often 
repeated by Dr. Cooper as illustrating the generous, chivalric temperament of the man 
and also the primitive condition of the affairs of the country at that time. After Crus- 
man had been in Clarksville several years and was well established in the estimation of 
all classes of the community known to the country boys as a great lover of horses and 
at all times condemning cruelty to horses, saying that kind, intelligent treatment would 
conquer the most vicious, there came to town one day a big, stout young man driving 
a pair of horses drawing a load of either hoop poles or hogshead staves (which is now 
forgotten), which he was hauling to the river for sale. His team was badly hitched up 
with ropes and bark strings, and stuck fast in the mud at some point just in the busi- 
ness center at that day. The teamster had attracted the entire town by his furious ap- 
peals to his team, and the fearful lashing he was giving them with a big whip. Among 
the interested spectators was young Crusman, a lithe, wiry young lad of seventeen or 
eighteen but very slender and tall for his age, who became so incensed at the brutal 
treatment the horses were receiving that he dared to say to the now infuriated teamster 
that he hoped he would never get out of the mudhole until he had learned how to 
manage his team. This was too much for the maddened teamster, and without a word 
he wheeled and with terrific force aimed his whip at Crusman, the blow he had been 
giving his team, but Crusman seeing his danger sprang toward the man, receiving only 
a part of the blow, and catching the driver off his balance tripped and threw him 
heavily to the ground and thumped him in the face. But a few moments only was 
enough to make it very plain that although on top Crusman was no match for his big 



antagonist, and was really getting the severest punishment ; so, much to Crusman's re- 
lief, as he always expressed it, his friends pulled him off. But it was after this, as old 
Dr. Cooper expressed it, came Crusman's triumph over brute force. After the com- 
batants had bathed their bruises the poor horses were still in the mud. Young Crus- 
nian went up to the teamster, took him by the hand, and said: "I make you this 
projiosition. I will go to the saddler's shop and get collars, traces, &c., put them on 
your team and deliver your load at the river if you will pay my employer for the arti- 
cles out of the proceeds of the sale of your load, and I'll do this without a whip and 
without striking your horses a blow." The big fellow, still in a bad humor, could not 
refuse, and reluctantly consented. Crusman told him to stand aside, unhitched his 
team, led them to the saddler shop, rubbed the horses off, gave them water, put his 
harness on, led them back to the wagon, got some of his friends at each wheel, patted 
and coaxed each horse a little, and off went the load in triumphal march down to the 
river, followed by half the town. It is useless to say that this made the big teamster 
Crusman's fast friend, as it did all the teamster's friends, there being in those days no 
city laws against and no fines for a battle of this sort. 

But the most remarkable characteristic, probably, of Colonel Crusman was that 
at such a time he exhibited intellectual force of such degree as enabled him during his 
evenings devoted to such books as he chose, to give himself a more than ordinary edu- 
cation. He made himself a thorough master of practical mathematics and was quite 
an authority on the simple measurements and calculations then required. His reading 
exhibited the most varied intellectual taste for those times. He read carefully the old 
English histories, read Josephus, Milton and Scott, but was fond of expressing his 
preference for Shakspeare, Burns and Moore. Shakspeare and Burns he knew so well 
as to quote from memory almost any striking passage, and on one occasion won a wager 
with a club of ladies that he would with a day's notice repeat an entire play of Shaks- 
peare and personate the characters, and not omit more than a dozen lines, and was 
not only successful but did it so perfectly to the satisfaction of quite a large audience 
that had gathered, that he added greatly to the character he had already made with the 
Clarksville Thespian Society, in which he took great interest and at that time was the 
leading spirit. Many of his friends recall to the writer recollections of delightful even- 
ings spent at this hospitable home later in life, when the daughters at the piano would 
charmingly render their father's favorite Scotch and Irish ballads, and he in turn would 
read or recite, at one time a tragic scene and at the next moment a side-splitting comic 
act from the writings of his favorite authors. 

The Bible Society. 
Montgomery county, or Clarksville Auxiliary Bible Society, was organized June 
19th, 1837, by Rev. A. Bradshaw, agent for the A,merican Bible Society. Rev. H. F. 
Beaumont was elected President; J. B. Reynolds, George Patterson, T. W. Frazer, 
George C. Boyd and Eli Lockert, Vice-Presidents; Rev. Consider Parish, Secretary; 
John McKeage, Treasurer and Depository; G. A. Henry, Dr. I. H. Harris, Robert 



S. Moore and 'rhomas W. Barksdale, Diieciors. Considerable enthusiasm was worked 
up in the meeting, and a strong effort to raise a handsome fund was made; agents were 
appointed to canvass every part of the county, and an earnest appeal made to the peo- 
ple for contributions, the amount needed immediately being $250. Mr. Beaumont 
served as President up to his death. Prof. Wm. M. Stewart succeeded him as Presi- 
dent. He moved to the country and could not give the matter the attention it needed. 
In fact the people were not in a state of mind, feelings or condition for several year^ 
after the war to take any stock in bibles, the American Bible Society, or anything else 
American. They even preferred their meals on the European plan. They went into 
the war believing the Lord was on their side; that the South was God's favorite coun- 
try and chosen people, but came out feeling God-forsaken and whipped ; given over to 
the devil and his angels, familiarly known as Parson Brownlow and his militia, who as 
(lovernor, ruled Tennessee as a provisional government like unto Pharaoh despotism 
over the children of Israel. Times got better, however. People accepted the new- 
situation and commenced to work out a new destiny. Mr. David N. Kennedy was 
then elected President, who infused new life into the organization, accomplishing much 
good. Since his administration the county has been supplied three times with bibles. 
Rev. Louis Lowe was the first Colporteur after the war : ^Ir. Wm. Kay rendered most 
acceptable service in 187S. and Mr. R. .\. Haden supplied the territory in 1886. 
Stewart and Houston counties were supplied with bibles for the destitute by this Society 
in 1875 or 1878, both counties contributing to the fund for that purpose. The fiftieth 
anniversary was held in May, 1887, at the Methodist Church, presided over by Presi- 
dent Kennedy; Rev. D. A. Brigham, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, read 
the bible lesson and offered prayer; Elder Case, of the Christian Church, delivered 
the address. The society elected officers for the ensuing year : D. N. Kennedy, Pres- 
ident; and Vice-Presidents, the pastors of the churches as follows: Dr. A. D. Sears, 
Baptist Church; Dr. J. \V. Lupton, Presbyterian Church; Rev. \V. R. Peebles, Meth- 
odist Church; Rev. D. A. Brigham, Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Rev. J. 'I'. 
Hargrave, Episcopal Church; Mr. R. E. McCulloch, Secretary; Mr. Polk G. Johnson, 
Treasurer, and Messrs. M. C. Pitman and E. H. Lewis, Depositories. Bibles were 
very scarce in the early settlements, and very few families owned or even looked into 
a bible. Yet people believed in the existence of God, and showed respect for the 
Sabbath, notwithstanding the wickedness abroad in the land, such as drinking, fighting 
and swearing on muster days and political gatherings. The law-makers recognized 
the obligation to keep the Sabbath holy. A historian relates a circumstance to show 
how particular the faith in the Lortl's Day was observed. Samuel Stout obtained 
license in 1790 to keep an "ordinary." that is a tavern, at his dwelling house in 
Clarksville, and was required to give bond in the sum of ^500 for the faithful com- 
pliance with certain conditions, "that he shall not suffer or permit any unlawful gam- 
ing in his house, nor suffer any person to tipple or drink more than is necessary on the 
Sabbath day." This was perhaps the first temperance movement in Tennessee, and 
the law makers were particular to limit the restrictions to the Sabbath day. There was 



no objection to a man's getting beastly drunk on any other day, Init Mr. Stout was 
obliged to be a close discriminating man to tell just how much whiskey was necessary 
for a man to drink on Sunday. Mr. Stout was about the first tavern keeper that his- 
tory or tradition gives any account of in Clarksville, as well as the first whiskey seller, 
for only tavern keepers were allowed to sell whiskey by the drink. It is also the first 
evidence of any recognition of the Sabbath, or the im[)ortance of keeping sober on 
that day. A little later the women were aroused to a tem])erance s])irit or indignation, 
and threatened to organize into a band of what would now be called crusaders, and 
hang Joseph Patton, who had a still-house on Spring Creek, in District No. 6, if he 
did not cease to entice their husbands to his ])lace to lay around day and night in 
drunken debauchery. It is said, in Putnam's History of Tennessee, that all of the 
[luhlic roads were laved off in the county at that day, and the viewing jurors were 
instructed to go by Patton's still house. Patton sold out in 1801 to John Edmondson; 
the ])lant consisted of two stills, one of 80 gallons and the other of 207 gallons capacity, 
20 hogsheads or mash tubs and cags, the price paid for same being $250. Edmondson 
was no doubt a better man, having respect for the mothers of the country ; at least they 
did not make any threats to hang him. It was some time about 1846, however, before 
a real live temperance boom struck Clarksville. A strong society was organized in 
that year, with C. R. Cooper, President, and David Browder, Secretary. Very few- 
people had the courage to stand out against the current of moral sentiment. The men 
all joined in obedience to their wives, and held out splendidly for about a year. Now 
a great many are for prohibition, and temperance people expect to carry the proposition 
by the popular vote, at the September election of the present year, 1887, held for that 
purpose alone. So it will be observed that the spirit of religion and temperance has 
followed the spread of the bible and the preaching of the gospel. 
I As an illustration of the extent to which drinking was carried on in Clarksville in 

I the early days, we append a short sketch written by Mr. W. R. Bringhurst just before 
I his death: "The crowd then hurried to another point, where a pugilistic fight was in 
' full tide of successful operation. One man had fallen upon his back; his antogonist 
I had measured his length upon him and was industriously engaged in chewing his ad- 
versary's no.se, and from the way he chewed, it must have been a very delicious morsel. 
Although the crowd was great, yet comparative silence prevailed, especially the com- 
\ batants engaged, and no one of the crowd was permitted to interfere until the man 
1 with the mutilated nose cried out enough, when the nose was liberated. The friends 
I of either then fell upon each other; some preferred chewing a finger, others to biting 
off an ear, others preferred to gouge out an eye with the thumb. Meanwhile other 
I crowds were collected on different parts of the square, gratifying their curiosity in 

I various ways. John Barleycorn ruled the hour; Backanalean exploits, Bedlamite 
noises by a confusion of tongues, the fiddlers in the stores swaying their heads and 
I drawing the bows with utmost self-complacency. Candidates for office harrangued the 
sovereign people, ea,ch one causing a barrel of whiskey to be set out as public property, 
with a tin cujj attached. The man who neglected this necessary hospitality might as 



224 

well have withdrawn from the canvas to avoid defeat and the reproach of his fellow 
citizens. All the old grudges and feuds which had arisen throughcu: the county dur- 
ing the interim of the last court, were settled on the first Monday of the court by fight- 
ing them out. At last, when the day was far spent, some one of these champions 
would take his stand in the middle of the square and call attention in a loud voice, 
jump up and proclaim to all men that he would be here on the next first Monday of 
court, and would whip any man who would meet him. On one of these occasions a 
small, compactly built man, who was put up on the mule fashion, accepted the chal- 
lenge. In due time the champion appeared ready for the combat. An unusually large 
crowd came in from all parts of the county. It was proposed by others that the fight 
should come off in the woods on the spot where the Methodist Church now stands. 
They marched forth attended by a large number of persons, and the fight comiiienced. 
In an unusually short time, the smaller man became master of the situation, the large 
one yielded the palm and was satisfied. And yet, strange as it may ajapear, the van- 
quished bully from that day became thoroughly an altered man. He eschewed whis- 
key, became a sober man, became a member of the church, and continued firm in h'»s 
resolution. If this should meef his eye, I have no doubt but that he will corroborate 
this statement. On these first Mondays of the court it is almost incredible to speak 
of the vast number of men who rode on horseback to Clarksville. Their being no 
livery stables, horses were hitched in every conceivable place. All persons living in 
the country (except suitors) that could sit on their horses returned to their homes the 
same night, and were but seldom seen until the next gala day, the first Monday of next 

Circuit Court. Judge , who held a special court here, and was well known by 

the citizens of Clarksville, was a very fat, bulky man, the heaviest at the time in Ten- 
nessee. During the term of his court here, he bought a whole bolt of fine Irish linen, 
thirty-three yards, and called on a lady who made shirts. He contracted with her to 
make a number of shirts to include the whole bolt. The lawyers found it out, and at 
once saw an opportunity to have a good joke on his honor at their own expense. They 
accordingly called on the lady and informed her of the modus operandi, and begged her 
co-operation. They told her if she would make but one shirt, and put all the linen 
into it, they would furnish her with another bolt of the same quality to comply with 
the judge's contract, at their own expense, and also pay her for making the big shirt. 
She agreed to the proposal, the big shirt composed of thirty-three yards was made and 
sent to the judge, when he discovered the mistake (which until then had been kept 
secret). The judge seemed to find it out as if by intuition. He raved furiously against 
the perjietrators, who in turn repelled his wrath by uproar and laughter."' 

Beginning of Improvements. 

It appears that nothing was done towards the jjermanent inqjrovement of the strect^ 
and highways of Clarksville nor the establishment of a Tobacco Inspection until 1S39. 
The Chronicle of March 7th, 1839, records the first move in this direction as follows, 
under head of "Our Town": "We most heartily congratulate our citizens upon the 



225 

vigorous and decisive measures now in progress for the [nivement and improvement of 
our town. The PuLlic Square and Franklin street are already under contract to be 
macadamized during the present year. The former has been taken by Mr. Joseph 
Johnson, of Sumner county, at $2,200; the latter by Mr. Robert Black, of our own 
county, at $5,200. The well-known ability, the experience, and the indefatigable 
l)usiness energies of these gentlemen afford sufficient guaranty that whatever they un- 
dertake will be promptly accompHshed in the most satisfactory manner. Strawberry 
Alley, too, we understand, will probably be put under contract by those owning prop- 
erty upon it. This is as it should be. We rejoice to see a spirit of laudable enterprise 
upon the great subject of internal improvement beginning to animate the great body 
of our capitalists. Let our streets be macadamized — our wharf be completed — a To- 
bacco Inspection erected — our communications with Kentucky secured — the manu- 
facturing advantages of Red River regained — and the destiny of Clarksville will be 
continually onward." 

At this time the question of building turnpikes to the Kentucky line and into that 
State, where the Kentucky people would join in the enterprise, building beyond the 
State line, as they did in building the Hopkinsville pike to within five miles of Hop- 
kinsville, and this road contributed largely to making Clarksville the market for South- 
ern Kentucky. The Hopkinsville people never completed the pike until years, 
when they undertook to build up a local market in Hopkinsville and it was found 
difficult to get any tobacco between the two places turned to Hopkinsville, as that five 
miles of road became impossible to drive over, and farmers would hual twenty miles 
over the pike and pay toll rather than go five miles to their own town, notwithstanding 
local pride was stimulated to the highest pitch. The Russellville pike was finished 
twelve miles to the State line by the Tennessee company, and the other end has since 
been a standing joke. Strangers traveling North could always tell when they struck 
Kentucky, as it was a plunge over head and ears into the mud. Work on the Clarks- 
ville and Russellville turnpike was commenced in the Fall of 183S. It was built by a 
private stock company under chartered privileges from the Legislature. A meeting of 
stockholders was held at the Court House on the 9th of July, 1838, and the Secretary 
instructed to give notice in the Clarksville Chronicle that an installment of five dollars 
on each share of capital stock of said company was required to be paid to the Treasurer 
on the 13th of August ne.xt, and another installment of two dollars and fifty cents on 
each share on the 14th of August. A copy of the minutes signed John H. Poston, 
Secretary. It is a little strange that the two calls were not made in one, or on the 
same day, instead of separate days in succession, but people had their way of doing 
things then as well as now. 

The remarks of the Chronicle on regaining the manufacturing advantages of Red 
River has reference to a heated controversy and contest between the town people and 
citizens along the river and above Port Royal which now would appear ludicrous. 
Red River, at the request of constituents, of course, had by an act of law been de- 
clared a navigable stream and was used in early days for shipping out tobacco by flat- 



226 

boats and keel-boats. Th; people also sold their surplus chickens, turkeys, eggs, dried 
fruits, hides, furs, tallow, bees-wax, potatoes, &c., to the boatsmen in the Winter and 
Spring when the water was up sufficiently for boats to float out, and it never occurred 
to Clarksville people that there was any harm in this. They were not so greedy or 
selfish as to make a fuss about a little dab of tobacco slippmg by on a flat, nor did tiiey 
have preachers enough to eat the chickens. No, no; Clarksville had a bigger thing in 
view. Port Royal was about to outrival the spirited town on the Cumberland in man- 
ufacturing enterprise, and there was where the shoe pinched. Clarksville was depend- 
ent on Red River for water power to drive machinery, and the special act making it a 
navigable stream prohibited the building of water dams below Port Royal. The 
country had gone wild on "silk culture." Messrs. Garrett Merriwether and John W. 
Barker had converted their farms into mulberry nurseries — "the genuine morus multi- 
caiilis" — and advertised in all the papers millions of mulberry trees for sale at two cents 
a bud if over ten dollars' worth. Others were following their example. Everybody 
was going to quit the unprofitable culture of tobacco and get rich in a few years raising 
silk. Many had planted acres in the mulberry, and built houses for silk worms to work 
in. Those catching the fever early were already under headway, having large stocks 
of worms industriously at work making silk balls. Some had become skilled in wind- 
ing and reeling the silk. Negro men were taken from the field and sent to woods to 
strip the mulberry trees of their leaves to feed the worms. Everybody, more or less, 
where mulberry leaves could be found, had silk worms. Some people took the worms 
into their bedrooms and filled the bureau drawers and every conceivable place. The 
most progressive leaders carried a few worms in their bosoms. Silk worm and mul- 
berry literature lay around thick, and was eagerly devoured by the ambitious silk lords 
and their wives, daughters and sons. Young people not posted orl silk culture were 
considered entirely out of society — green enough to make a morus multicaulis worm 
sick. In short, the silk business was getting fairly under headway, and Port Royal 
had a monopoly of the manufacturing interest so long as Red River was a navigable 
stream. Port Royal already had a silk company organized on a basis of $100,000 cap- 
ital, and almost every man in the country except Clarksville had stock in it in shares 
of five dollars and upwards. The machinery was to be operated in connection with 
the Port Royal mills, just above the mouth of Sulphur Fork, the same dam serving for 
both. A drying room and winding and reeling room had been erected, some old ma- 
chinery put in and operations already commenced. This movement threatened the 
very life and existence of Clarksville and the tobacco growing interest, and the only 
thing that could be done to avert the calamity was to repeal the law declaring Red 
River navigable, and let silk factories go up all along the stream ; that is, two or three 
just above the mouth. And this was the question that was up under redhot discussion, 
the Chronicle and Clarksville people favoring the repeal, and country people oppos- 
ing — all having stock in the Port Royal factory. On the broad principles of opposition 
to monopoly, "free trade and sailor's rights" that the stream was not navigable and 
worth more to the common county for water power and manufacturing than for navi- 



gation. Clarksville carried her point, managing to get the law repealed. It was not 
long, however, before the Port Royal company "busted." The action of Clarksville 
would have brought about this result, but the sharper who got the thing up, a man 
named Cardin, took notes when the cash could not be had for the stock, and then sold 
the notes and left for Europe to buy the silk machinery, leaving the stockholders to 
raise mulberries and nurse their worms until he returned. The enterprising gentleman 
is still absent, but may turn up at any time to stock his factory with greatly improved 
machinery, and Clarksville will again be left in the lurch, for she has failed to build 
the manufactories ; and since then, on the motion of enterprising citizens of Clarksville, 
the law making Red River a navigable stream was re-enacted, and Congress made an 
appropriation of $5,000 to clean out the stream to compete with the Southeastern rail- 
road, which was then charging high local rates on tobacco from Adams Station and 
Saddlersville to Clarksville while engaged in a fight with the Louisville & Nashville 
railroad. The joke of the whole matter is that it is only twelve miles to Port Royal, 
perhaps twenty by water, and there is not a single sight within the distance suitable for 
a mill or machinery of any kind ; and then the stream would hardly float a canoe ex- 
cept when swollen from excessive rains. During heavy overflows, when the water is 
backed several miles from the Cumberland, a small steamboat can run as high up as 
Port Royal, and there is hardly any danger now that the ancient little town up the 
stream, once a leading aspirant for the State Capitol location — coming within a few 
votes of being elected — will again rival either Clarksville or Nashville for honors, unless 
some land, coal, iron and railroad company should gain possession and cut a canal 
across by Turnersville, turning the Cumberland into Red River at Port Royal. After 
the silk failure General Satilee Warden, of New York, bought the flouring mill and 
operated it some years. 

Another enterprise about that time was the Clarksville Fire Insurance and Life 
and Trust Company, incorporated by the Legislature in 1840 with a capital stock of 
$100,000. The charter members were Robert W. Galbraitt, James McClure, Thomas 
W. Barksdale, G. A. Henry, M. A. Martin, John H. Poston, G. A. Davie, Alex. H. 
Cromwell, Isaac Dennison and William Broaddus. The charter provided that the 
books should be opened on a certain day and stand open ten days only. The stock 
was promptly subscribed and the company organized. Alex. Cromwell was most 
likely the first President; that is, it was announced "at a regular meeting, May 5th, 
1842, A. H. Cromwell resigned and Henry F. Beaumont was elected President." 
Beaumont may have been re-elected President and Cromwell resigned as Director. The 
following names then composed the Board of Directors : H. F. Beaumont, T. W. 
Barksdale, George C. Boyd, H.,S. Garland, W. S. Jones, R. M. House, A. D. With- 
erspoon, T. W. Barkholder, Bryce Stewart, R. S. Moore and Joshua Elder. The 
company continued in business a number of years with Mr. Beaumont President and 
E. Howard Secretary, until the members finally concluded to wind it up, which they 
did, the company retiring creditably. A. A. McLean, from Nashville, succeeded Mr. 
H. F. Beaumont as agent of the Nashville Insurance and Trust Company in 1840 



which indicates that Mr. Beaumont was then President of the Clarksville Insurance 
Company. McLean came here in 1839. He was a clerk and elected on the 21st of 
February, 1839, by the parent bank at Nashville, cashier of the Clarksville branch of 
the Planters Bank to succeed John C. Miller, whose death had just been announced. 

Samuel Simpson, jeweler, came here about 1839, remained several years and 
moved to Hopkinsville, Ky. 

W. S. Warner & Co. were engaged in the tin and sheet-iron business in 1839, and 
some years later moved to Gallatin, Tenn. 

Here is another little steamboat item picked up which would have appeared better 
in the river sketch had it been known at the time. However, the style of this history 
is grouping together facts as they are found. The New Orleans Picayune of February 
26th, 1830, announced the arrival of "the steamer John Randolph, Captain Miller, 
from Nashville, with a cargo of 911 bales of cotton, 939 hogsheads, iii bales, and 62 
boxes of tobacco, 298 empty casks, 24 barrels and casks sundries, 591 turkeys, 35 
dozen chickens, 38 horses, 5 dogs, &c. , the largest cargo, we believe, ever brought by 
one boat."' The tobacco and perhaps turkeys and chickens were loaded on at Clarks- 
ville. 

Hugh McClure was one of the early citizens of Clarksville and one of the wealth- 
iest in the early settlement. He was here contemporaneous with Colonel Crusman and 
others about 1800 or a few years later. It is said that he built the first brick house in 
the town, which stood until late years just below the Tobacco Exchange on the old 
Providence street, the property recently purchased from the Henry estate by D. Kin- 
cannon and occupied with small cottages. It was then the largest storehouse in town. 
Hugh McClure and James Elder, father of Joshua Elder, owned jointly a large body 
of land along the Western and Northern slope and on the east side of the Public 
Square and Franklin street. They divided the land, McClure drawing that along the 
river slope, and Elder the upper part ; and the McClure family thought they were lucky 
m getting the most valuable lot at that time. Hugh McClure died in 1828. One of 
his daughters wedded Dr. W. M. Drane and one married Hon. G. A. Henry. 

James Elder was also considered a wealthy man and prominent citizen. He built 
the present Elder residence on Second street. It w-as the first house ever finished in 
the town with wall paper and so much of a curiosity in the line of extravagance that 
everybody went to see it. Mr. Elder died about 1830, soon after completing his house. 
Hon. James B. Reynolds was then a bachelor and lived in a cabin just back of Con 
Dineen's blacksmith shop, adjoining the Elder place, and some year or two after the 
death of James Elder, married his widow. Count Reynolds, as he was known, was a 
gentleman of nice manners and unstinted hospitality. Having served in Congress and 
become a prominent citizen of the State and Democratic party, it was left for him to do 
the agreeable and entertain strangers visiting the town. General Jackson and other 
prominent men made his house headquarters when visiting Clarksville. 

Thomas W. Frazer was another wealthy and prominent citizen in the early days. 
He married Miss Sarah Gibson, a sister of Mrs. Hugh McClure and aunt of Mrs. 



229 

Ht-nrv nnJ Mrs. Drane. Mr. Frazer improved the beautiful place on Second street 
near Providence pike known as the Henry home or Eagle's Nest, now occupied by 
Mrs. r. ¥. Henry. Mr. Frazers wife died about 1838 or 1839. He then by deed of 
gift made the place to Mrs. G. A. Henry and lived there with Major Henry's family 
until he died, about 1847. He died very suddenly and unexpected to the family. He 
was an enthusiastic Episcopalian and the founder of Trinity Church and the largest 
contributor to the building. 

James McClure built the Trice or Mrs. Barker residence on Second street now 
occupied by Mr. Charles M. Barker with his mother. The house was made to front 
the river and had a handsome front and beautiful lawn, but the opening of Second 
street to New Providence changed the rear to the front. 

Bennett W. Searcey occupied a log house near about where the new Arlington 
Hotel is going up on Second street. He owned the lot between the two streets, Frank- 
lin and Commerce, and perhaps Second street included. Andrew Vance bought the 
place and built a fine brick house — that is, a fine house for that day. This house was 
occupied afterward by Wylie Johnson, a distinguished lawyer, and after his death was 

bought by Squire Elliott and converted into a hotel known as the Central House, 

kept by Samuel Northington and destroyed in the big fire of 1878. The residence was 
built fronting Franklin street, with an old-time portico and luxurious blue-grass lawn 
extending to Franklin street, now covered with elegant business houses. 

Isaac Dennison, whose name figures so prominently with those of Beaumont, 
Drane and others, lived on the corner of Main and Second streets, in the old May 
house, the place now occupied by Gill's livery stable. Dennison was recognized as a 
good man and most useful citizen. He was a brother-in-law of Colonel C. Crusman, 
his wife Ijeing a sister of Mrs. Crusman. Rev. H. F. Beaumont preached his funeral. 

Banks and Banking. 
In the early history of Clarksville banks were not considered a necessity, as they 
are at the present time, to bring into requisition the means to move the crops or aid 
the farmer in stocking or planting his farm. At that time the professional burglar had 
not reached such skill as to require a time lock or burglar proof safe to prevent his 
thriving on his jiillage. Perhaps the people were more honest. That degree of temp- 
tation, aided by the follies of fashion and high living, with that strong desire to excel 
his neighbor "just a wee bit," was not then so rife in the land as at this time. That 
merchant, therefore, who had a strong box, chest or drawer wherein he could store 
valuables, was the principle custodian of such sums of money as were not required by 
the industrious yeomanry or citizen to meet the daily expenses of the family. The 
Ifl/ig credit system prevailed — a curse which was doubtless removed by the war between 
the States, and at the close of which the cash system was adopted. To illustrate, a 
farmer would buy goods from his merchant on six or twelve months' time. The mer- 
chant dealt in pelts, produce, poultry, peanuts, eggs, honey, beeswax, etc., commonly 
termed "liarter, '" and the farmer who kept with him a " running account" would bring 



230 

to town his "truck" on court day, turn it over to his merchant, who would credit the 
farmer's account by the proceeds at the market price. When called upon for a settle- 
ment by the merchant, the farmer would close the account by giving his note for the 
balance due at one day or six or twelve months after date with interest. But little 
money was in circulation. The notes given to close accounts were bought up by the 
wealthiest citizens from the merchant at a liberal discount, and many of them collected 
finally through the courts. Thus the farmers were in those days, as they are now, the 
fountain of finance from which all other branches of business drank. The merchant 
disposed of his goods to the farmer; the paper buyer got his profit from the farmer's 
notes, and the lawyer got his fees when the notes were placed in suit. Parties buying 
farmers' notes were termed "note shavers," a title which carried with it in the eyes of 
some all the ignominy cast upon usurers by the Bible, and with many of the less pros- 
perous people it was a term of reproach. The idea prevailed (kind of communistical) 
that a man who had enough of the "filthy lucre" to "shave notes," was a vile wretch 
none too good to be "cast into outer darkness." While some of these "note shavers" 
were gendemen, who dealt leniently with their victims, others were living Shylocks, 
who invariably insisted on their " pound of flesh," and by them many a worthy but 
impecunious man was forced into bankruptcy. Some of the wealthiest men Clarksville 
has produced can trace the foundation of their fortunes back to the time they shaved 
notes in these "olden days and golden." But of such is the kingdom of wealth the 
world over even at the present day. 

Mr. W. R. Bringhurst, in one of his sketches of early Clarksville, says: "At one 
time, while many persons were acting the auctioneering of their own horses, riding 
furiously up and down the square, crying out the liids with a stentorious voice, there 
could have been seen a quiet looking man seated in the shade of a tree, or on some 
cellar door, with a pair of stuffed saddle bags containing blank bonds and bank notes. 
This was what was familiary called the Saddle Bags Bank. The person who had charge 
of it was by authority the president, director and cashier. The capital belonged to the 
school fund of the State, and the bags contained the portion of Montgomery county. 
The school being inoperative, the funds were loaned out to the citizens on bond and 
security, on short dates, in sums varying from $20 to $100, to those whose notes were 
approved. Although seemingly a small affair, it was a great relief to many. At one 
of these discountings the crowd of borrowers having been accommodated, the cashier 
announced that he still had $150 to loan, and that would close this mode of accommo- 
dation for all time. A prominent citizen, who spent money freely and borrowed where 
he could, accidentally heard of this opportunity, condescended to put in his note, which 
was discounted, and swept it clean. No doubt the securities paid the note." 

The time soon arrived when the progressive people of Clarksville came to the con- 
clusion in their primitive wisdom that it was necessary to the growth and prosperity of 
the town that they should have a bank. They pictured to themselves the great 
advantages to be derived therefrom. Money would be easy, in fact it would be as 
thick as the leaves 9n the trees. Everybody would be rich, and the great profits of 



the " no:e shaver" would be swallowed u]) by the discounts of the bank. It was in 
reality the "(Greenback" party of the '30s. History repeats itself, for the Greenback 
party of the '70s carried such hallucinations to its members wheti many of its members 
supposed if their party should get in the ascendency, that the United States govern- 
ment would each morning send around its wagons to distribute $500 packages at each 
of their front doors "without money and without price.'' 



PLANTERS YiAt^K OF TENNESSEE. 

The long looked for blessing in the way of a bank came in 1835, when the Planters 
Bank of Tennessee located at Nashville opened a branch bank in this city, with Henry 
F. Beaumont, President, and John C. Miller, Cashier. (.An extended notice of Mr. 
Beaumont is given in another part of this work.) Mr. Miller died in January or Feb- 
ruary, 1839, and on the 21st of February, 1839, A. A. McLean, a clerk in the parent 
bank at Nashville, was elected to take his place. 

In 1842 Wm. P. Hume succeeded to the Cashier's place. He was the son of 
William Hume, who was born in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1771, and came to Nashville 
when quite a young man. Wm. P. Hume was born 
in Nashville in August, 181 6, and died in Clarksville 
February i6th, 18S7. He was a clerk in the Planters 
Bank at Nashville, when a demand was made for an 
efficient man at the Clarksville branch, and in 1842 
Mr. Hume was sent from Nashville to take charge as 
Cashier. This bank was successful and remained under 
the management of Messrs. Beaumont and Hume until 
the institution closed up its affairs during the war be- 
tween the North and South. Afterwards Mr. Hume 
served fifteen years as Cashier of the First National 
Bank of this city, and was City Treasurer during forty 
years of his life here, with the exception of one term. 
He was a prominent Odd Fellow, being the last surviving charter member of Pytha- 
goras Lodge of Clarksville at the time of his death, maintaining an honorable member- 
ship forty years or more. Mr. Hume was twice married; his first wife was Miss 
Garvin, and his second Miss Augusta Tinsley, who still survives. Mr. Hume was not 
only a correct, faithful and efficient Cashier, who won and retained until his death the 
utmost confidence of this community and the surrounding country, but he was a 
Christian gentleman who suffered not his religion to rest in a mere outward form of 
Godliness. No worldly interest, political or otherwise, ever prevailed upon him to 
depart from his integrity or to lead him to any sinful^ or unworthy purposes. He carried 
his religion with him into his business place, and no man could ever bring against him 
a charge of violation of faith or honor in any of his worldly transactions. His two 
sons, Wm. G. Hume and James W. Hume, who were trained under him, made com- 
petent bank men. The former, Wm. G. Hume, was after the war elected Cashier of 




232 

the Bank of Kentucky, where he served until his death, February 2d, 1881, with great 
credit to himself and with perfect satisfaction to the bank. His son, B. S. Hume, is 
now the only member bearing the family name in this city, where he is engaged as 
clerk for F. P. Gracey & Bro., and bears the reputation of being a most efficient young 
business man. 

H.\NK. OF TENNESSEE. 

The success of the Planters Bank induced the Bank of Tennessee to open up a 
branch at this point. The profits in banking at this time were enormous. Bills were 
taken on New Orleans for thirty, sixty and ninety days at one per cent, a month, or 
twelve per cent, per annum. New York exchange sold at two per cent, premium and 
frequently as high as three per cent. Clarksville then had no railroads, and conse- 
quently no express companies to compete with banks for the transfer of funds to eastern 
points. What would a merchant of these days think if he was charged a premium at 
the rate of $20 for $1,000 for a check on New York, when at the present time it is 
difficult to dispose of it at over $2.50 discount per $1,000. As an illustration. New 
York exchange was frequently from one to two per cent, discount in New Orleans, the 
point to which all the produce of Clarksville was shipped. A tobacco buyer would 
sell his draft on a firm in New Orleans to a bank at Clarksville for $1,000 for thirty 
days at one per cent, discount. The bank would remit the draft to New Orleans and 
instruct their correspondent to place the proceeds at their credit with their New York 
correspondent, the discount in New Orleans on New York exchange being two per 
cent. The Clarksville bank would then sell the New York exchange to a Clarksville 
merchant, say at three per cent, premium. Hence we have the following statement : 

Discount on thirty day draft, - - - - - $10 00 

Discount on exchange at New Orleans, - - - - - 20 00 

Premium on exchange on New York, - - - - - 3° 00 

Profit on $1,000 for thirty days, - - - - - 60 00 

which is at the rate of six per cent, per month, or seventy-two per cent. ]ier annum. 
Such transactions were frei|uently made by the banks of Clarksville prior to the war. 
Many of our peojile born since the war have crude ideas of what the Bank of Ten- 
nessee was. They only have a knowledge of its existence by seeing an occasional 
bank note — looked upon as a curiosity — issued by this bank, from seeing the "old 
issue" or "new issue Bank of Tennessee notes" quoted in the financial columns of the 
Nashville papers, or from reading some decision of some court as regards the notes or 
deposits of the bank. From its inception it was a huge political machine. The 
appointment of the President of the parent bank at Nashville was changed with almost 
every incoming administration. At the branches, as a general thing, men were selected 
who could wield the most power or control the most votes in a political election. Of 
course there were exceptions, but these exceptions "were few and far between." 
This course frequently resulted in the selection of men of poor financial ability to 
manage the affairs of the branches, either as President, Cashier or as Directors. 
Clarksville, howe\ er, generally had men of good ability to preside over the affairs of 



233 
the bank. The Branch Bank of Tennessee was opened here in 1838. The first Presi- 
dent was Thos. W. Barksdale, who belonged to a family distinguished for its business 
sense. E. B. Roche was the first Cashier. He died in 1844, when Mr. Barksdale 
was made Cashier, and John H. Boston, President. The bank officers were changed 
e\ery few years. The Presidents up to the war were D. N. Kennedy, W. B. Mun- 
ford, R. \V. Humphreys and Joshua Elder. The Cashiers for the same time were 
W. H. Dortch, B. H. Wisdom and John E. Wilcox. After the fall of Fort Donelson 
in 1862, the assets of the bank were removed to Nashville, and from there down South 
to follow the fortunes of the Southern Confederacy. 

On the night of 2d of February, i860, this bank was robbed of a large amount. 
The building it then occupied is the same now owned and used by the Clarksville 
National Bank on the west side of the Public Square. We take from the Chronicle 
of F"ebruary loth, i860, the following account ot this robbery: "On the night of the 
2d of February, the Branch Bank of Tennessee at this place was burglariously entered 
and robbed of $17,885, of which $13,500 was in $20 gold pieces — the balance in bank 
notes. The morning after the robbery the Cashier on attempting to open the two iron 
doors of the vault, found considerable difficulty in getting the keys to throw the bolts, 
but by repeated shaking of the doors the locks were made to yield to the keys, and 
then the locks worked as well as ever. On entering the vault from the appearance of 
everything in the usual order the suspicions of the Cashier (caused by the condition of 
locks) were destroyed and he thought all was right. He brought out his till to the 
counter and proceeded with the business as usual. At 2 o'clock, the hour for closing, 
when the Cashier was balancing his cash account, he found his cash short about $5,000. 
Some of the bank officers were immediately summoned and an investigation of the 
vault began. A bag which the day before contained three smaller bags of gold, which 
was standing as if untouched on the top of the safe, wilted with the slightest pressure, 
and the discovery was certain and the loss summed up as above. Had the rogue been 
skillful in bank doings he would not have taken any of the bank notes out of the till, 
for the money had been counted but a few days before, and if the cashier's money had 
not been found short the robbery would not have been ascertained except by accident 
until the new Board came in, and the rogue would have gained time for hidino- the 
money and his tracks. There was some $80,000 in coin in the vault, but a large quan- 
tity was in the safe — we understand the safe was full. Another one of the small bags 
of gold was open on the top of the safe, out of which the rogue only took some $200 
in $1 pieces in rolls of $20. The weight of the metal taken was somewhere about 
eighty pounds, which leads to the impression that there was but one concerned. No 
clue remained, and as all the bank officers are far above suspicion, we fear the money 
is forever lost. A reward of $2,'5oo for the recovery of the money and $1,000 for the 
detection of the thief was promptly offered by the Directory. At the robbery of the 
bank at Jackson was connected a murder, and some traces were left of a pointed 
character and ng discovery has been made in relation thereto, we are forced to the ap- 
prehension stated that the money is gone forever. The robbery will not affect the 



business of the bank— it is a loss of capital. The old and new directory both unani- 
mously passed resolutions exonerating the cashier and the clerk from all blame or sus- 
picion, which is also the sentiment of the entire community." 

The Bank of Tennessee and its branches was without a local habitation during the 
four long years of the war. It was being hauled, during this time, from pillar to post 
to evade capture by the Federal forces. A large proportion of its assets being gold it 
made many narrow escapes. At the close of the war the assets were turned over to 
the Brownlow government at Nashville, and a large proportion of its funds were ab- 
sorbed by the political knaves in power at that time. Throughout its latter days it has 
been a bugbear to the people of Tenne.ssee. Its honest debts, such as deposits and its 
notes, justly the property of the depositors and noteholders, through the aid of repudi- 
ating legislatures have almost entirely been ignored and its honest creditors have been 
made to suffer by the acts oC dishonest politicians and demagogues. 

EDWARD HOW.\RD, B.^NKER. 

Edward Howard was prominently connected with the early banking history, and 
was recognized as one ot the brightest business men Clarksville ever had. He was a 
tall, handsome man, preposessing in every way, of 
strong intellect, undaunted courage, a high strung, 
chivalrous, generous gentleman, of scrupulous integ- 
rity; a self-educated and self-made man of high social 
(jualities. He was a remarkably pleasing conversa- 
tionalist, a man of literary taste and culture. He was 
also a fine reader and much of an orator; was an 
enthusiastic Democrat, and though never a politician, 
generally entered the campaigns and was a popular 
speaker, always ready to take a hand in anything and 
make a speech when called on, and with all exercised 
a powerful influence. Mr. Howard was born Feb- 
ruary ist, 1817, at Walnut Grove, Sumner count\, 
Tennessee. He went to Elkton, Ky., about 1834, and engaged in merchandiziuL;. 
On February nth, 1836, he married Miss Virginia Buckner, a daughter of Colonel 
Buckner, of Kentucky, who did not long survive. He moved to Clarksville about 
1840 or 1841, and some time after married Miss Mary Ann Crusman, daughter ii 
Colonel Cornelius Crusman, to whom was born one child, Captain Ed. Howard, the 
only survivor. He first engaged as a clerk, and in 1842 was elected Secretary of the 
Clarksville Marine Insurance and Trust Company. He conducted a loan and discount 
business, and traded in uncurrent money, that is, such bank notes as were under ])ar, 
doing a kind of banking or exchange business. He kept his office in the old shoe-shop 
of John Rick on west side of Public Square, long since destroyed by fire. He estab- 
lished a branch office of the insurance company at Henderson, Ky. , with M. Clark 
as agent, which did a good business. The largest part of the profits of the company 




235 
cime from its loan, discount and exchange business. Notwitiistanding the wcnderful 
prosjjerity of the company, the wise heads in it, apprehensive that misfortune might 
follow from the very nature of the business, and from a sense of consciousness, decided 
to retire, and did so about 11^49, Mr. Howard winding up the business with profit and 
to the full satisfaction of the company. As soon as the business of the insurance com- 
pany was wound up, Mr. Howard established a bank of his own, under the name of 
E. Howard, banker, the first private bank ever established in Clarks\ille, and also 
became the agent of the Nashville Insurance and Trust Company. Some time after he 
moved to the room under the Chronicle office, now Webster's barber shop. He 
soon became largely engaged in the tobacco business, stemming and buying on specu- 
lation, in which he was also very successful, and died January 30th, 1854, leaving an 
estate valued at $75,000 to $100,000. At the time of his death he was winding up his 
business aff;iirs here to form an extensive partnership with Sawyer & Wallace in the 
commission l)usiness. Sawyer & \\'allace were to operate the New York house, and 
Mr. Howard was to conduct the New Orleans house, assisted by Mr. B. W. Macrae. 

JAMES L. GLENN, BANKER. 

James L. Glenn came here from Elkton soon after Mr. Howard and engaged as a 
clerk with Mr. Howard, first in the insurance company and then in the banking busi- 
ness, where he served till the bank was closed. Mr. Glenn made some reputation 
while with Howard as a clear-headed, careful man, cautious and correct in all his lousi- 
ness transactions, combining those excellent qualities 
which peculiarly fit men for successful bankers. At 
the close of Howard's banking operations, about 1853, 
he succeeded in the business under the name of James 
L. (ilenn, banker, in a house on the east side of the 
Public Square, exercising that sound judgment in 
transactions with the public which has characterized 
him all through life as ah able financier and most 
efficient bank officer, as he has demonstrated up to the 
])rescnt day as Cashier of the Northern Bank of Ten- 
nessee. His efforts, as a matter of course, were at- 
tended with great success. He is a gentleman of high ."if^^^ 
social qualities, companionable in his nature, pleasing 
in conversation, with plenty of good humor and keen relish for the ludicrous side of 
every question, and practical in all things. In addition to his banking business as 
Cashier of the Northern Bank, he is also a partner in the who'esale grocery house 
of John Hurst & Co. He was the builder of the elegant residence now owned by Mr. 
H. C. Merritt, on Madison street, and at present occupies one of the most beautiful 
and luxurious homes on Madison avenue. Mr. (Menn married Miss Ella Poin- 
dexter, daughter of John Poindexter, of Christian county, a most excellent lady who 
died some ten or twelve years ago, leaving him three children, Jeanie, a very sweet 




236 
little girl, and two sons, Richard and James, who have grown up to be model younu 
men. 

NORTHERN BANK (IF TENNESSEE. 




The Northern Bank of Tennessee was established in 1854 under the general banking 
law of Tennessee, chartered by the Legislature with $50,000 capital, (Mr. Glenn having 
closed his private bank), with D. N. Kennedy, President, and Jas. L. Glenn, Cashier, and 
without any change in name or system this bank has 
idiiiinued in successful operation thirty-three years up 
t(i present date, maintaining all through the vicissitudes 
of banking in Tennessee the fullest confidence of the 
public in its good management and the integrity of the 
owners, passing through every financial crisis from that 
day to this without even suspension. It was doubtless 
due to the early beginning of the system of banking on 
a commercial basis rather than private security that 
enabled this bank to pass so many ordeals, general sus- 
pensions and panics, establishing itself so thoroughly 
in the confidence of the people. The bank was opened 
in the old house on the west side of the Square now 
(i( cupied by John Young as a saddler's shop, .\fter 
the fall of Fort Donelson in 1862, the assets of the 
bank were moved South and sent to England for safe- 
keeping. At the close of the war, July 15th, 1865, the bank was reopened in the 
house now occupied by the express office, where it continued business up to 1SS5. 
when it was removed to its present elegant banking house, corner of Franklin and Sec- 
ond streets. Mr. John W. Fa.xon was appointed teller or assistant cashier in July, 
1865, when reopened, and continued in this position, serving most efficiently until 
1883, when he resigned to accept the position of Teller in the American National Bank, 
a new bank opened at Nashville, and was succeeded by Mr. Ed Munford, the worthy 
voung gentleman who still holds the position, and Mr. Robert Henry serving as 
clerk. 

Hon. David Newton Kennedy. President of the Northern Bank, was born Febru- 
ary 2Sth, 1820, in Todd county, Kentucky. .\t the age of fourteen years he com- 
menced clerking in a dry goods store at Elkton. Four years later, in 1838, he went 
to Nashville, engaging there also as a dry goods clerk four years, until March 6th. 1842, 
when he came to Clarksville, engaging with John S. Hart in the dry goods business 
under the firm name of Hart & Kennedy. Their store was opened on the west side of 
the Public Square, below Strawberry Alley, where Sylvia Sullivan now has a small 
grocery, and continued there until 1847, when they removed to the present postoffice 
corner, in Elder's block, a more commodious house. This firm commenced on very 
small capital, but prospered rapidly, growing to be the largest dry goods house in the 




237 
place. The firm continued eight years, the most confidential and ( ordinl relationship 
existing between the partners during the time and 
ever since. The business was well managed and 
consequently very succcsst'iil. At the end of eight 
years the firm was dissohetl, Mr. Kennedy retiring 
on account of ill health. The dry good house es- 
tablished by them has been continued by suc- 
cessions to the ]iresent time of writing, as will be 
seen in a sketch of Mr. Hart. In the meantime 
Mr. Kennedy was elected Director of the Branch 
Bank of Tennessee in 1844, and in 1845 '^^ "'^^ 
elected President of the bank, which jiosition he 
filled till 1851, one year after retiring from the dry 
goods business, when he w^as elected Cashier of the 
bank, which place he filled until 1854, when the 
Northern Bank of Tennessee was established l)y 
Kennedy & Glenn, which has continued to exist 
since, with D. N. Kennedy, President, and James 
L. (dcnn. Cashier. It must be said to the credit 

of Mr. Kennedy's financial sagacity, that he in a great measure revolutionized the old 
banking system of relying solely on endorsers, to the commercial system based upon 
the borrower's standing and produce in sight. Under the old system, the law required 
endorsers in the State liank on discount paper, which afforded sjieculators the means 
of operating in tobacco, pork, bacon, etc. Three or four speculators in well to do 
circumstances would combine together and endorse each other's paper, and not unfre- 
([uently one of the number would break, carrying the others down with him. Not- 
withstanding the long credit system, the immense amount of unsound currency afloat, 
the Bank of Tennessee here did not loose a thousand dollars in bad debts during Mr. 
Kennedy's connection with it, which was due to his prudent foresight in the change 
of system. Under the old banking laws, money was plentiful and men generally 
honest. At least there were no James gangs and but few expert burglars, and men in 
good standing could borrow all the money they needed by offering two good endorsers 
on their notes. This made times flush, produce high, and put land and all realty up 
to the highest notch; and those were counted good old honest days, when farmers grew 
rich, and slave property advanced to enormous figures, a first-rate young negro man 
being worth more than a small farm now; any man owing slaves could borrow money, 
or borrow to buy slaves. It was common to transfer money from one bank to another, 
as the necessity of different localities required, so that banks were never scarce of 
funds to accommodate every want, and frequently the Branch Bank of Tennessee here 
had a quarter of a million of dollars in its vaults. The mode of transferring money 
was by private conveyance, horse-back in saddle-bags, or in a carpet-sack traveling in 
a buggy or by river. Clarksville drew her supply from the mother bank at Nashville; 



238 
any one of the officers would go after it, bringing from fifty to one hundred thousand 
dollars at at a time. Ten or twenty thousand dollars was frequently sent by a steam- 
boat captain or private citizen passing. On one occasion, in December, 1852, the 
bank was in need of about one hundred thousand dollars to accommodate the Christma; 
demand. Mr. Kennedy went to Nashville after it, on a steamboat. Returning, the 
steamer was caught on a sand bar at Harpeth Shoals, and there hung up for three 
weeks. The weather was extremely cold and the river commenced freezing, and Mr. 
Kennedy found himself in a predicament. Col. Gil. T. Abernathy was on board with 
a pair of saddle bags, and making a temporary exchange with Col. Abernathy, he 
transferred the money from the carpet-sack, stufling both ends of the saddle-bags full, 
and borrowing a rough horse from Mr. Littleton J. Pardue, left late in the evening, 
came home through the bitter cold, over a rough road, and through the dense darkness 
of the forest, twenty odd miles, arriving almost frozen a little before midnight. What 
ever may be said of the advancement of civilization and the spread of religion and 
general improvement of morals, no man of common sense would risk his life leaving 
Nashville now, openly, with one hundred thousand dollars packed in a carpet-sack, 
makmg just the trip Mr. Kennedy did. If morals have improved and people became 
better, so has crime progressed in proportion, for a man was just as safe among the 
Indians in early days as he would be out now traveling over the highways known to 
have a large sum of money. This country was at one time in early history full of 
horse thieves, robbers and highwaymen, but that era had passed. The pioneers banded 
together in companies called Regulators, and every man caught in suspicious maneu- 
vering or conduct, engaged in no laudible work, was spotted and then taken to the 
woods, where he received a genteel thrashing and the admonition that if caught again 
in this country he would have to look up a rope to a tree limb. A bad set at that time 
infested the country along Red River up to Port Royal, had their stations and connec 
tions, operating between Clarksville and Russellville, and Nashville and Hopkinsville. 
The band of Regulators were headed by such good men as Capt. Smith, who lived on 
the Elk Fork, Mr. Fort, grandfather of the present generations of Forts, a man who 
was the peer of Reuben Ross; Nicholas Darnell, who lived near old Drake's Pond 
Church, east of Guthrie, and other honored citizens. They drove the last one from 
the country and the community rested in peace. Money was kept in vaults under 
ordinary locks. Such locks would be opened now by experts in two minutes, and it 
was believed that the only bank robbery known in those days, mentioned elsewhere in 
this work, was executed by a skilled mechanic familiar with the bank, who made a key 
to open the lock, but he was too shrewd to leave any trace of his crime. 

In 1 86 1 Mr. Kennedy was elected to the Tennessee Legislature from Montgomery 
county, and was honored with the position of Chairman of the Committee on Finance 
and Banking, and also Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, in place of 
Mr. Lockert from Stewart county. He was also a member of the State Constitutional 
Convention in 1870, and was in both instances nominated and elected without solicita- 
tion or opposition. In 1855 he was elected a member of the Board of Directors for 



239 
Stewart College, and still occupies the position in the University Board. In 1866 he 
was elected President of the Clarksville Auxiliary Bible Society, which dignified posi- 
tion he still fills. In 1869 he was elected President of the Clarksville Board of Trade 
at its organization, which place he still fills by successive elections. He was the 
originator and prime mover in the establishment of Greenwood Cemetery, and has 
since been the Secretary and Treasurer of the company, and this has been the proudest 
enterprise of his life. Later he was by unanimous choice made Trustee of the Indiana, 
Alabama & Texas Railroad by the citizen subscribers to the bonds of the company. 
Mr. Kennedy became a member of the Presbyterian Church in 1844; was elected Elder 
in 1849, which place he has continued to fill since, and has been the enterjjrising and 
honored Superintendent of the Sunday School of that church since 1870. 

Mr. Kennedy was married November 22d, 1843, to Miss Sarah A. Bailey, daughter 
of James Bailey, of Wilkerson county, Miss , who was a brother of Charles Bailey, 
Esq., of Clarksville. Mrs. Kennedy when a girl was distinguished for her beauty and 
personal charms, and loved through life for her amiable disposition and many excellent 
graces, combining neighborly kindness and charity for all. They have had nine 
children, having raised six to be prominent men and women, and in age are blessed 
with grand-children. The surviving six are Mrs. Mary Bryan Owen, Mrs. Sallie 
Gardner Plunkett, James Thompson, David Newton, the afflicted son, Mrs. Clara 
Stuart Burney, and Mrs. Ellen Barker Clapp. Mr. Kennedy has been one of the 
leading spirits in every public enterprise started since his day here, taking stock or 
paying money to help every scheme worthy of support, and has all the while enjoyed 
the fullest confidence of the public. Mr. Kennedy is now the only man in active busi- 
ness in Clarksville who was in business on his own account at the time he came here. 
Mr. John F. Couts was here then, clerking for Williams & Bro., and afterwards engaged 
in business for himself. He is also the oldest bank officer, though not the oldest man, 
now in the .State, and the oldest insurance agent. 

THE B.iVNK OF AMERICA. 

The Bank of America was established in Clarksville in 1855, with branches at 
Dresden and Rogersville, Tenn. Col. M. D. Davie was President, John F. Barnes, 
Cashier. Charles M. Hiter succeeded Mr. Barnes as Cashier, and Capt. R. Y. John- 
son succeeded Mr. Hiter, and proved to be a very efficient and popular officer. Mr. 
Johnson properly had charge of the branch bank at Dresden for a time. This bank 
was chartered under the general laws of Tennessee, was perhaps short of capital, and 
like many others based on the same system, could not withstand the panic of 1857, and 
was conse<iuently a failure. 

FIRST NATIONAL HANK. 

The First National Bank of Clarksville was organized in 1865 with a capital of 
$50,000; S. F. Beaumont, President, and W. P. Hume, Cashier. In July, 1867, the 
capital stock was increased to $100,000. The Board of Directors was composed of 
S. F. Beaumont, T. F. Pettus, G. W. Hillman, Geo. H. Warfield and B. W. Macrae; 
S. F. Beaumont, President; B. W. Macrae, Vice-President, and W. P. Hume, Cashier. 



240 

These officers continued in charge until February ist. 1880, wlien Mr. Himie, from 
infirmities, retired, and Mr. Macrae became tiie Cashier, and since that time the l)ank 
has been under the management of the same President and Cashier. The known 
integrity of the management at once gave the bank a high commercial standing; the 
stock was placed above par in the market, and the bank commanded a large and pros- 
perous business. The bank did not issue any circulation until .\ugust, 1S71, when it 
put out $90,000 of its own notes, issued under the National banking law, on a basis of 
$100,000 United States bonds purchased, and that circulation has since been reduced 
to $22,500, based on $25,000 United States four per cent, bonds, worth twenty-nine 
per cent, premium. The bank has its capital stock paid up in full, and has a surplus 
of $22,500, which is $2,500 more than the law reciuires. It has paid semi-annual 
dividends to its stockholders regularly every year and without any intermissions for 
twenty-two years. The excellent management, usefulness and popularity of this bank 
may better be judged by the value of its stock in the market, which is saleable at 
twenty-five to thirty per cent, premium. The present Board of Directors is composed 
ofS. F. Beaumont, President: H. \V. Macrae, Cashier: J. P. Y. Whitfield, Dr. G. M. 
Pardue, E. B. Ely, W. F. Taylor and Thomas H. Smith. Messrs. Win. H. Higgins, 
Teller, and H. Percey Wisdonr, Book-Keeper, have been conneted with this bank a 
number of years, enjoying the fullest confidence of all, and high public esteem. Mr. 
Higgins has occupied his position since 1872, and Mr. Wisdom since 1877, beginning 
when quite a youth. 

Baily Washington Macrae, present Ca.shier of the First National Bank, was born in 
Fauc|uier county, ^'irginia, and came to Clarksville with his father in 1S49, ^^'lien a 
mere youth. His first business engagement was with 
Hart iV Kennedy in 1850, to learn the dry goods busi- 
ness. He continued clerking in this house during the 
existence of the firm, and after the dissolution con- 
tinued as clerk for John S. Hart, who succeeded 
Hart & Kennedy, until 1853. With three years" ex- 
jierience, he went to Nashville to accept a position in 
the wholesale dry goods house of A. J. Duncan & Co. 
He was, however, soon induced by Mr. E. Howard to 
return and assist him in winding up his banking busi- 
ness, with a \ iew to a business engagement in New 
Orleans, which was afterwards abandoned on account 
of Mr. Howard's death. The banking business was 
soon closed, and in December of that year (1853) he formed a partnership with John 
S. Hart in two houses, one John S. Hart & Co., dry goods house, and the other, 
B. W, Macrae & Co., grocery house. Mr. Hart managed the dry goods business and 
Mr, Macrae the grocery house. While this partnership trade was pending, an old and 
successful grocery man advised Mr. Hart against it, upon the grounds that Macrae 
was too young, inexperienced, unknown, and too modest and diffident to manage such 




241 

;i lioiisc. Mr. Hart knew the i';u ts and aiipreciated the last named trails ot' ( hara< ter 
in the young man, but wlicther they would operate against him, as the old gentleman 
advised, was the question. Having had young Macrae in his house three years, and 
knowing his business ([ualifications, punctuality, correct methods and high integrity, 
lie believed that these would combine with other (jualitieb to inspire public confidence 
and win success, and in this he was correct. Mr. Macrae at once bought a large stock 
lit" groceries for the firm, and in the conduct of the business his first move was to estab- 
lish monthly auction sales as a means of advertising and becoming acquainted with the 
|jc(iple. The ])redi( tion of failure on the ]jart of Mr. Hart's friends and advisors, rather 
]iut the \ining man on his metal, and the amoimt of energy and business tact that 
iievelo]jed behind his modest diffidence, was surprising to some people and most grati- 
fying to his partner. I'he first auction sale took place in February, 1854, Mr. O. M. 
Blackman acting as auctioneer. Twenty hogsheads of fresh New Orleans sugar were 
rulled out nil tiie Public .S(|uare. from the old house which occupied the present site of 
Jcihn Hurst &: Co. s building, some fifty sacks of new coffee and a variety of other staple 
and fancy groceries. The sale had been well advertised and the sijuare was packed 
with wealthy farmers and country nierchanis from Christian, Trigg, Logan, Todd, 
Warren and Simpson counties, Ky., and as far back as people hauled tobacco to this 
market. Everything was sold out according to advertised terms, the sale rushed 
through, amounting to $5,000 or more, realizing a hand.some profit. By this means 
the re]JUtation of the house was at once as well established as the oldest concern in the 
]jlace. .Accounts had been made and busine.ss relations opened with almost every sub- 
stantial farmer in the country. It gave the house the pick of the trade, and inspired 
people with confidence in the integrity of its management, who waited for the monthly 
sales, and continued to deal with the house, which took the lead in the grocery line, 
doing the largest business in the town. In 1856 Hart and Macrae formed a ])artner- 
sliip with Henry Hart in the grocery business in Nashville, under the firin name of 
Hart. Macrae & Co., also continuing their two houses here, and the three houses con- 
tinued to do a prosperous business up to* 1858, passing through the panic of 1857 
unscathed: when the Messrs. Harts, having accumulated a comfortable sum, concluded 
to retire to farm life, and by mutual consent the three firms were dissolved, Mr. Macrae 
succeeding in the dry goods house, with Mr. B. F. Coulter as partner, under the firm 
name of Macrae & Coulter, and the Hart brothers settled down to successful farming 
in Robertson county, north of Sjjringfield. The firm of Macrae & Coulter continued 
to do a succe.ssful and leading business until the fall of 1862, when the house was closed 
until after the war, when it was reopened by Mr. Coulter and G. W. Hillman, under 
the firm name of Coulter & Hillman. Mr.- Macrae retired from business until 1867. 
During that year he took a prominent place in the management of the First National 
Bank, and was later elected Cashier, where he has continued since, a most efficient 
financier. He has since 1873, the organization, been President of Greenwood Ceme- 
tery Compjany, .is Secretary and Treasurer of the Water Works Company : has been 
] ])rominently connected with the building and loan associations of the city from their 



242 

organization, and is now President of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association. In 
tact he has been connected with almost every public enterprise of the city since the 
war, taking an interest in everything calculated to advance the public wellfare, enjoying 
the full confidence of all citizens, and generally called to take a front or leading place 
for his known prudence, good business sense and consideration. Mr. Macrae united 
with the Methodist Church in 1852, and in 1854 was elected a Steward in the church, 
which place he has continued faithfully in. He is Treasurer of the Board of Church 
Extension of the Tennessee Conference, and President of the Board of Trust for 
superanuated preachers. He has generally been a delegate and efficient member of 
Annual Conference since his connection with the church. He was Chairman of the 
Building Committee in the erection of the handsome Methodist church edifice on Mad- 
ison street, which reflects so much credit on the denomination in Clarksville, Messrs. 
A. Howell and John D. Moore being the other members. Mr. Macrae was married 
October 2d, 1856, to Miss Alice Miller, daughter of Mr. John C. Miller of Montgomery 
county, who immigrated from Virginia, a lady greatly esteemed for her lovely character. 
Mrs. Macrae died in 1873, and her remains rest in Greenwood, the spot marked by a 
modest and most beautiful marble monument. Three children were born of this mar- 
riage, who still survive, and are greatly esteemed for their worth to society, Mrs. Vir- 
ginia Stuart Bailey, Mrs. Mary Chapman Drane, and son, John Miller. Mr. Macrae 
was the builder of his own elegant home which he iiow occupies, a plot of fifteen acres 
on Madison avenue, fronting with a beautiful maple lawn and charming residence, 
which was erected in 1872. The lovely grove of shade trees in front were planted by 
him about the time the building was erected. 

Mr. Sterling F. Beaumont, President of the First National Bank of Clarksville, 
was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1825 — "a noble son of a noble sire" — and was 
brought to Clarksville by his father. Rev. Henry F. Beaumont, when only three years 
of age, and was reared and educated here. The family is of French-English descent. 
Much may be known of the general character of the man by reading a sketch of his 
father, on page 173 of this book : for, according to the old saying, he is a chip off of 
the original block. In other words, he inherits many of the noble traits of his honored 
father. True, he is not a minister of the gospel, but as a business man of high honor, 
a citizen faithful to every duty, upholding morality, virtue and Christianity, a most 
generous friend with a heart full of sympathy for distress in all classes of society, a man 
without enemies, enjoying everybody's friendship and highest confidence, he is in a full 
sense his father's counterpart. Mr. Beaumont, after a liberal education at the Clarks- 
ville Male Academy, took a full course of studies in Lagrange College, in Alabama, 
where he graduated, and after returning home he read law for some time. He, how- 
ever, soon found out that he did not possess that peculiar talent or higher qualifications 
which makes the most successful lawyers. He possessed no tact for prevaricating, or 
whipping the devil around the stump, and, moreover, his inclination lead him to differ- 
ent and wider fields. Dropping the law, he turned to buying and selling land on 
speculation. It was a most opportune time for a young man without money if he only 




2 43 
had good ( redit, which Mr. Beaumont had. and wliith he has si rupulously maintained 
to the present day. His father at that day had not 
ai cumulated sufficient means to spare from his own 
liusiness to set his children up, and Sterling struck 
out boldly on his own account. At that time land 
was continually advancing and his judgment was 
not mistaken. .Success attended his speculations, 
and in 1845 or 1846 he was enabled to start a 
wholesale and retail grocery house, which business 
he maintained successfully up to 1853, when he 
closed out to engage in the tobacco business, in 
which pursuit he has since continued, attended 
with great ])rosperit\', and he now owns and o])er- 
ates one of the largest stemmeries in t'larksville, 
besides being interested in large houses at other 
])oints and buying tobacco regularly on the Board. 
Mr. ?!eaumont was elected President of the First 
National Bank at the time of its organization in 
1865, and has been re-elected successively every year since, filling the phce with dis 
tinguished ability and to the fullest satisfaction of the stockholders, mamtamnig the 
highest credit for the institution. He was also continually re-elected President of the 
Tobacco Board of Trade up to November, 1884, when he declined re-election on ac- 
( ount of partial deafness, which made it difficult for him to transact the business with 
that facility he desired. Mr. Beaumont belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is an 
old line Whig in [)olitics. since the war acting with the Democracy, but never taking 
any leading part or acting the politician. 

Mr. Beaumont was married in 1853, by Rev. A. L. P. (Jrenn, to Miss Mattie L. 
Conrad, a native of Springfield, Tennessee, and daughter of Mr. George C. Conrad, a 
distinguished citizen of Robertson county. It was a happy union blessed of God, and 
attended with sweeter joys than youth's early dreams could imagine. Mrs. Beaumont 
is a lady of cultivated intellect and high order of business capacity, who has performed 
well not only her part, but relieved her husband of the details and worry of home 
affairs, that all of his time and study might be given to the avocations relied upon for 
an income. What a wonderful blessing is such a wife to a man having many cares, 
taking fully half of the burden, relieving him of the drudgery that he may run the 
race of life unencumbered by the many smaller cares. Such has been the life and 
character of this most estimable lady, neglecting none of her duties to church and so- 
ciety. The improvement of their elegant home on Madison avenue is due to her ex- 
cellent taste, skill and good management. This is a ten-acre plat, with splendid 
residence, beautiful lawn of forest trees, gravel drives, a lake, flower garden, fruits and 
many beautiful "ornamentations, and all the comforts that could be desired. Mrs. 
( Beaumont was born in 1833, and to this union were born five children: Laura, Lillian, 



Adaline, Mary Boyd and Sterling F. All but Mary Boyd survive. Mr. Beaumont 
followed the example of his fother in his religion. He united with the Methodist 
Church in early life and has since li\ed a Christian, carrying his religion into his every 
day business. Mrs. Beaumont has also been a faithful member, bringing up their chil- 
dren in the faith. 

t I.AkKS\ll.l.K N.ATIONWl. HANK. 

Clarksville National Bank was organized early in 1868 under the name of Mont- 
gomery Savings Institution, with B. (). Keesee, President, and J. E. Broaddus, Cashier. ; 
Mr. Broaddus served onl\ a few months when he resigned, and Mr. ,-\. Howell was '. 
elected to the place, whicli he has so efficiently and satisfactorily filled nineteen years 
and likelv to fill during life. After the death of Mr. Keesee Mr. Henry C. Merritt was 
elected President and still fills that position. About uSyo the bank ])urchased the old 
Tennessee Bank building, west side of Public Square, its [jresent comfortable ([uarters, 
and changed its name to that of "Bank of Clarksville," and later changed from the 
methods under the State laws to the National Bank system, taking the name of "Clarks- 
ville National Bank." Its capital is $50,000 paid up, and a surplus fund of $10,000, 
with $10,000 undivided profits. It has been characterized by prudent, cautious man 
agement, enjoying public confidence and realizing handsome profits, declaring regular 
semi-annual dividends of five per cent, to its stockholders (ten per cent, per annum) 
and its stock is worth forty ])er cent, premium on the market. It has lacked nothinu' 
in its accommodating spirit to advance public interest and enterprise. (rrundyCil- 
bert, a most efficient accountant and excellent young man, is the book-keejier, and 
Archer Howell the reliable yonng clerk. 

Mr. Bell O. Keesee, President of the Montgomery Savings Institution, whiih 
name was changed to Bank of Clarksville, and later to Clarksville National Bank, was 
born in Montgomery county, on the south side of Cumberland River, and died Decem- 
ber 30th, 1875. Mr. Keesee was in every sense a self-made man, and lived a life ol 
sui h varied activity and usefulness, that it would be 
difficult to record his many good deeds and acts of use- 
fulness. He was brought up on a farm, raised very 
poor, and attained a very limited education. At the 
tge of twenty years he came to Clarksville and opened 
I small grocery on very limited capital. Demonstrat- 
1114 his capacity for business and sagacious trading, he 
w u shortly after taken in the wholesale and retail 
groc-ery house of Sawyer. Wallace & Co. In 1851 he 
14 lin commenced business on his own account, and 
u IS verv i^rosperous, winning his way to public confi- 
. nee and accuinulating money at every turn. In 1852 
he was happily married to Miss Cornelia R. Peacher, 
.laughter i>f Peter Peacher, now Mrs. Ed. Turnley. She made him a noble wife, a 
true helpmate, and his course was onward and upward. He seemed to possess a 




-45 
natural tact for making money, and it apiieared tiiat e\t;rything he touched turned to 
gold, and the beauty of it all was, that he was not selfish or money craving. While he 
delighted in accumulating, he was also a free giver when charity demanded, and was 
e\er ready to join in any public enterprise and hel]j build u]) the commercial interest, 
education, religion, manufacturing industry, etc. In 1859 he opened a tobacco stem- 
merv. and by a stroke which showed his strong natural sense and sagacity, laid during 
the war the foundation for his fine fortune. Shipping his strips to Europe, he ordered 
them held in Liverpool until they should advance to double the price they then ruled 
at. His commission merchant remonstrated, and he reiterated his order and directed 
him even then not to sell until he was notified. The sequel showed his knowledge of 
affairs, for he sold for more than double price, and had at one time more than ^10,000 
to his credit in Liverpool. He also speculated in bonds, to some extent in gold, and 
always with success. He was continually buying and selling real estate, and was per- 
haps the best friend of those who had property sold by legal process, for he always 
made property bring its value. He seemed intuitively to know the value of a piece of 
property, and he never permitted a speculator to obtain a piece of property for a small 
value. .At all sales he seemed to take delight in running property up to its value, 
w hether he was an.xious to buy or not. He was a strong friend of home markets and 
never bought abroad what he could get at home. Without education he was a man of 
strong natural sense, and his judgment was valuable on any subject. For eight years 
he had suffered from cancer, and had scarcely during that time known a good night's 
rest, and yet he was cheerful', apparently in good health, with a jest and a pleasant 
word for every one he met, going actively and indefatigably about his business, buying 
and selling, starting first one business and then another. He was just about embark- 
ing his capital extensively in manufacturing, with all the energy and arder of his nature, 
when he learned for the first time that his disease must very soon prove fatal, and the 
public for the most part learned that he was afflicted. There was something inexpressi- 
bly sad in the suffering man, doomed and marked by Death for his own, moving among 
his fellow men, with all the energy of a man, buoyant with hope — patient, cheerful, 
never complaining, never evincing a sign of pain, attending to business, arranging his 
affairs and preparing to die. Although his very vitals were consumed by disease, until 
dissolution had come almost before death, he never yielded, and continued to drive 
about until a short time before his death, and was only confined to bed for one week. 
' He was a kind and attentive neighbor, who sought to know what those around him 
1 needed and to provide it. He built a fine house, not for show, but to shelter his friends 
and relatives, and he always kept it full. Few men have done so much for their rela- 
tives as he. He was for years a member of the Methodist Church, making no parade 
or show of his religion, but he was a practical Christian, a kind charitable man, who 
did many a good deed unseen, for although reputed close in money matters, he was a 
( charitable, and in many respects, a liberal man. He had no money to waste or throw 
j away. His death in the prime of life, and the period of greatest usefulness, was a loss 
( to the city and the county, where he knew every man, and was on friendly terms with 



246 
all, high and low, rich and |K)or. His worth was fully appreciated by the people, and 
his funeral was one of the most largely attended, and a procession of nearly fifty car- 
riages followed his remains to the grave. He sleeps well after his brief but active lift- 
in the community, where he made himself and carved out his own fortune, and con- 
(]uered his own place among men. 

Henry Clay Merritt, President of the Clarksville National Bank, was born near 
Hadensville, Todd county, Kentucky, April 12th, 1839. His parents were Dr. Daniel 
R. and Penelope (Hamum) Merritt, of Scotch-Irish descent. Henry was raised on 
the farm and learned (|uite early how to gather tobacco worms, how to drop corn. 

tobacco plants, plow, hoe, go to mill, i\:c. He 
obtained a common school education in the neigh- 
borhood, and in 1858 entered Cumberland Uni- 
\ersity at Lebanon, Tennessee, and graduated 
from the law department of that school in 1861, 
and at once enlisted in the Confederate war service 
as a private in Co. K. First Kentucky Infantry, in 
which company he served one year. He then 
joined (General Morgan's Cavalry and continued 
with that brigade in all of its daring adventures, 
dashing and gallant charges which immortalized 
(ieneral Morgan and his brave men, up to July 
19th, 1863, when he was captured at Buffington's 
Island, Ohio, and kept by the Federals a prisoner 
of war two years lacking one month. Soon after 
returning home from prison, in 1865, he came to 
Clarksville and was admitted to the bar to practice 
law, and has since been engaged in his profession. 
In this he soon earned the reputation of being a clear-headed, careful, pains-taking 
young man, a student in his profession, accurate in his work, and most efficient office 
lawyer. In 1874 he formed a law partnership with Hon. John F. House, with whom 
he is still associated in the profession. In 1869 he was elected Mayor of Clarksville 
as a Democrat, and re-elected in 1870. His administration was characterized by reform 
measures, confidence was inspired and finances improved. In January, 1876, just 
after the death of Mr. B. O. Keesee, he was elected President of the Clarksville 
National Bank, which position he still holds. October 30th, 1866, he was married to 
Miss Mary C. LaPrade, of Robertson county. She was of a promnient Baptist family 
and was a thorough-going, working Christian woman, and a lady of the most lovable 
traits of character. To them was born one child, Mary Fisher, a very sweet, amiable 
daughter, who died September 29th, 1880. Mrs. Mary LaPrade Merritt died August 
4th, 1881. Her death was a great surprise and shock, and was mourned by the entire 
community. In 1882 Mr. Merritt was again married to his present estimable wife. 
Miss Maude Bailey, daughter of Hon. James E. and Elizabeth Bailey. They have 




247 
two children, Elizal)eth I.usk and Maude Bailey. Mr. Merritt is strictly a business 
man, punctual in all of his enj^agements, and correct in his dealings. By industry and 
prompt attention to his own affairs, he has already — young in life — gained quite a com- 
petency, and he is by no means selfish or illiberal in its use, but exceedingly generous 
and charitable to all benevolent objects. He is one of the leading public spirits in 
Clarksville, and is a liberal subscriber to every public enterprise or any object that is 
calculated to advance the general interest of the city. He is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and has been an ofificial in the church for the past ten years. Mr. 
Merritt owns considerable real estate, and purchased his present elegant home from 
Mr. Glenn in 1881. 

Mr. Archer Howell, Cashier of the Clarksville National Bank, was born in Rob- 
ertson county, November 7th, 1831. When quite young he learned the cooper's trade 
and became an expert barrel musician. In 1852 he moved to Pleasant Mound, in this 
county, and engaged in selling goods two years, until 
October, 1854, when he came to Clarksville and engaged 
as clerk for Mr. B. O. Kessee, and lived with him two 
years until 1856, at which time he was elected book- 
keeper in the Branch Bank of Tennessee. In 1859 he 
engaged in the warehouse business until 1863, when 
he moved to Louisville and from there to New York. 
In 1864 he went to Bremen, Germany, where he opened 
a commission house, which business he continued two 
years until 1866, when he returned to America and 
j engaged in buying tobacco at Clarksville and cotton at 
1 Montgomery, Alabama, two years until 1868, when he 
I was elected Cashier of the Montgomery Savings Institu- 

I tion, which position he has since filled, following the changes in the name of the bank, 
( now nineteen years. Mr. Howell was elected Mayor of Clarksville in 1882, and re- 
I elected in 1884, serving two terms, or four years, most efficiently, giving the city a 
I splendid administration. He has been Chairman of the Funding Board Committee for 
j Clarksville since 1883. He has served as Treasurer of the Mechanics Building and 
Loan Association since its organization in i86g, and as a member of the Board of 
I Directors for the Citizens' Building and Loan Association since its organization in 
1868, two well managed institutions, most beneficial to the growth and prosperity of 
1 the city. He served ten years as Director and Secretary and Treasurer in the Board 
] of Education, from 1874 to 1884, when he resigned. Mr. Howell was urged to take 
I this unthankful and unprofitable position when the public school system was in dis- 

I repute, finances in bad condition, and the School Board indebted to the teachers for 
past years work. He occupied the trust, filling the'places of two members. City and 
District Directors. He freely devoted much of his time and attention to the schools, 
i raising money, -building houses, seeing after teachers, their methods, etc. , and order 
j was brought out of confusion and the schools established on a solid, prosperous basis, 




248 
and have since continued to grow in pojnilar favor. As a recognition of iiis valuable 
services and devotion to the cause, the jjresent commodious building known as the 
Howell School was named in honor of him. Mr. Howell united with the Methodist 
Church in 1875, ^^^ ^'^^ ^'^^y soon elected a member of the Board of Stewarts, and 
also a meinber of the Board of Trustees for the church, which places he continues to 
fill. He was also a member of the Building Committee for the present beautiful church 
edifice on Madison street, composed of B. W. Macrae, A. Howell and J. I). Moore. 
Mr. Howell was married to Miss Nannie Johnson, daughter of Hon. Wyl e B. Johnson, 
April 29th, 1868, a lady esteemed for her many graces of mind and heart, and useful- 
ness to her church and society. They have two children living. Archer, and their 
sweet little daughter Katie. (Jne child, Johnson, died in infancy. 

KRANKI.IN HANK. 

Franklin I'.ank was estal)lished in New Provident e in 186S, under the State bank- 
ing laws and name of New Providence Savings Institution, with Thomas F. Pettus, 
President, and W. S. Poindexter, Cashier. The bank was under the most capable 
management, and |)roved a great factor in upholding the business enterprise on the 
other side of the river. It not' only favored the merchants, accommodated the people 
of the country, hut steadily maintained the tobacco interest on that .side, giving efficient 
aid to two warehouses. Really New Providence was the competitor of Clarksville in 
the tobacco trade, and also in groceries, uj) to about 1874 to 1.S76. After the comi^le- 
tion of the Nashville & Henderson Railroad, Hopkinsville established a tobacco mar- 
ket, and the local pride of the Christian county people caused them to withdraw their 
patronage from New Providence and give it to Hopkinsville. The bank capital, 
Messrs. Pettus, Hambaugh, and other prominent tobacco men, had been able to stop 
nearly all of the Trigg and Christian county tobacco on that side, but the break to 
Hopkinsville was so sudden and great that it completely nonplussed the little town. 
In the meantime Mr. Pettus died, whose influence was a great loss, and after Mr. Pettus 
was succeeded as President by Mr. P. C. Hambaugh, the bank pulled up stakes and 
moved over to Clarksville, and was established in a building on Franklin street about 
the place it now occupies, when the name was changed to Franklin Bank and a few 
more stockholders admitted, increasing its capital from $40,000 to $52,000. This was 
a streak of good policy both for the bank and Clarksville. It brought with it *lie re- 
maining patronage, very nearly all of the tobacco trade following. This strength added 
to Clarksville, the home market was no longer divided against itself, but was stronger 
to fight Hopkinsville, Louisville and all competition. The bank in its new location 
gathered increased patronage, and also strength and influence from its liberal ])olicy 
and wise and prudent management by its Cashier, Mr. Poinde.\ter. The building in 
which the bank was first located was destroyed by the big fire of 1878. Its assets and 
books, however, were all saved. The contents of its vault and safe were found in 
])erfect preservation, and the bank was opened in the old banking house on the square 
now occupied by the telegra|)h office, where it proceeded with business until its present 




249 
building, erected exiiressly for it by Mr. 1). KincaniKin, was romplctcd, and since that 
time its prosperity has continued to increase, and n<j institution enjoys more fully the 
contidence of the public. Its stock is valuable an<l nof to be had on the market. Mr. 
R. B. Rossington has been efficiently connected with the bank since it mo\ed to 
Clarksville as Assistant Cashier. Mr. R. K. McC'ulloth is the accomplished book- 
keejjer, and Mr. Richard Poinde.xter the sprightly \oung clerk and collector. 

William .S]iencer Poindexter, Cashier of the Franklin Hank, was born in Russell- 
ville, Ky., February ist, 1830. At the early age of thirteen years he commenced 
clerking in a dry goods store. Of course his edu(;ation must have been limited at that 
age, yet he took to business methods like a young duck to water. He could run his 
eye over a column of figures and guess every time, 
in a minute, the sum total of the whole, and no 
boy was ever so hap]jy as he when given a hard 
sum, a problem in figures, or interest in fractional 
])arts to calculate. Samuel Poindexter. his father, 
was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1796, and moved 
to Logan county in 1820, where he continued 
farming until his death in 1875. He raised six 
children, Wm. S. being the third. The grand- 
father, Peter Poindexter, was a Virginian, and 
died in 1840. Mr. Poindexter came to Clarksville 
October ist, 1853, and engaged as book-keeper in 
the warehouse of W. S. McClure, which was given 
the name of " Rat-Proof Warehouse." It was said 
that Mr. McClure gave the house this name as a 
burlesque on Smith or some other man who adver- 
tised his house as "fire-proof.'' But this is doubt- 
ful. The most plausible solution is that he set 

Billy Poindexter to figuring on the number of hogseeads of tobacco they would receive 
that year, and he figured the house full and then figured the rats out of their holes for 
more room. Mm. Poindexter was the first clerk he had ever crossed who could sub- 
tract a rat from its hole, and the name " Rat-Proof Warehouse" struck him with force. 
It was a good hit. 

In 1858 Mr. Poindexter took charge of Red River Landing Warehouse, New 
Providence, on his own account, which he operated two years successively until i860, 
when he formed a partnership, operating Trice's Landing Warehouse under the name 
of Poindexter & Pollard. This house controlled a large tobacco business, besides be- 
ing the shipping point for the country on the north side of the river, and handled all of 
the flour from the several country mills on Big an3 Little West Forks, receiving all of 
the goods for Hopkinsville and interior towns and country stores. The house was well, 
managed and. made money, giving general satisfaction to customers. In 1867 Mr. 
Poindexter was elected Cashier of the New Providence Savings Institution, which, 




after being moved to C'larksville, was changed to its present name, Franklin Bank, and 
has since continued in that position. It is to his financial skill and enterprising man- 
agement that the bank is indebted for its large correspondence and great popularity. 
He is one of the most clear-headed financiers in the country. Public confidence in his 
integrity and careful management brings to the bank very large deposits from the coun- 
try and consequently an extensive and prosjjerous business. Soon after the bank was 
moved he sold his place in New Providence and purchased his present comfortable 
home, corner Commerce and Seventh streets. Mr. Poinde.vter was never in any way 
e.vtravagant, but observing practical economy with nothing stinted in comfortable living 
has been able to save quite a competency, layed away for a rainy day. Ostentatious 
in nothing, he has in a quiet way aided many young men in starting in life, who re- 
member him most kindly for his generous assistance. He has accjuired a general 
knowledge of men and things, keeps posted an all public affairs, and takes a practical 
view of everything, and always when relieved from business is very sociable and enter- 
taining. He is liberal in the support of every laudable enterprise or anything that 
promises good results to the community, and charitable in his nature to objects of 
need. 

Mr. Poindexter was married in 1859 to Miss Emily Everett. 'I'heir union was 
blessed with one child, a lovely daughter, Mrs. Lula Anderson, wife of \V. B. Ander- 
son. Mrs. Poindexter died in 1864, and some time after he married Mrs. Mary (iee, 
who died in 1873, and in 1875 he was wedded to his present est/maole wife, who was 
Miss Kate Carney, of Murfreesboro. born in 1840 — a lady of splendid education and 
bright intellect, who is worth her weight in gold to any community. Her hand is in 
every good work, and not the slightest want escapes her ever watchful eye. She is de- 
cidedly a leader in society ; intelligent and entertaining, gentle in nature, modest in 
every act, and careful for the comfort and enjoyment of all. Her presence affords a 
charm to every circle. In church affairs and on committees of mercy she is ever busy 
doing good. Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter are members of the Methodist Church and per- 
form well their part. They have two children, William Spencer, a sprightly little 
boy who is already taking to banking, and Rosa Kathleen, a very lovely little 
daughter. 

Peter Catlett Hambaugh, President of Franklin Bank, came from Virginia in 1842. 
He applied to Mr. T. F. Pettus at Trice's Landing for work, and Mr. Pettus offered 
him work in the warehouse because of his manner of applying, believing he would 
not accept the position, but no sooner than told he tackeled a lot of tobacco hogsheads, 
rolling them around like playthings. Mr. Pettus and all about the warehouse were 
surprised. When the hogsheads were placed as wanted, he saw- a large cable rope, 
about an inch and a half size, lying on the bank in the mud, where it was used to cable 
steamers, and was almost covered with sand from the overflow, and thinking it ought 
to be taken in, he took hold at the waters edge, and raised the cable, cautiously 
shaking off the sand, and climbing the hill until he got to the other end, which he 
found fast to a great iron ring securely fastened to a post buried several feet in the 




25' 

L^round. and it was told tliat he Lrathered the ring in both hands, making a dead set, 
when Mr. Pettus called to him not to pull up that ring. This part was told of him as 
a joke, Init he did shake u\) the rope to let it dry, and it is sufficient to say that Mr. 
Pettiis found him such a valuable man, that his services were retained, and he became 
so watchful and careful of e\ery interest, that it was not long before Mr. Pettus ad- 
mitted him as a jxirtner in the house, and from that day they became intimately 
( onnected in business and were close friends during Mr. 
Pettus' life, and was therefore the more fitted to succeed 
him as President of the bank. Mr. Hambaugh also engaged 
in the grocery business in New Providence, and in pork 
]jacking, until 1858, when he sold out and moved to Ring- 
gold and engaged in milling, in which he was also succes.s- 
fuil. In 1865 he moved back to New Providence and en- 
gaged in the tobacco business, which he has pursued with 
marked success to the present day. There is nothing like 
starting right in life as in everything else; a firm determi- 
nation to do something, rather than wait for something to 
turn up, is the proper spirit for every young man to exhibit 
when starting out. Mr. Hambaugh had not decided on any special calling or plan, 
and never dreamed of any spe'^'il favor coming from Mr. Pettus, but just the way he 
laid hold, rolled tobacco hogsheads around and pulled at that cable rope, impressed 
Mr. Pettus that there was something in the young man, and he took a liking to him 
that grew into a warm and life-long friendship. That very act was the key to Mr. 
Hambaugh's start and wonderful success in life. Mr. Hambaugh was married to Miss 
^'irginia Burgess, of Kentucky, in 1855. To them was born four children, William P., 
the owner of Ringgold Mills; Herbert O., the owner of the splendid woolen and flour- 
ing mills on West Fork known as Peacher's Mills; John C, junior partner in the firm 
of R. H. Walker & Co., and who is also engaged in the grocery business in New 
Providence ; and Jewell, a very sprightly, charming little miss. Mrs. Hambaugh died 
July 27th, 1877. Rev. T. J. Duncan, writing of Mrs. Hambaugh, says: "To her 
family and domestic interests she was one of the most devoted women that I have ever 
known. To her husband she was a help indeed. If a well regulated home, close 
economy and indefatigable labor upon the part of a companion are au,\iliaries to a 
man's success in this life, then Mr. Hambaugh owes much of his success to the fru- 
gality of his departed wife. Before her affliction shut her in from society, her church 
was a sweet resort to her, and no member of my charge was more punctual in their 
attendance than she. In all the enterprises for the advancement of church interests, 
she was in the fore front and worked zealously for .their consummation. The church 
will miss her. To the preachers she was proverbially hospitable. Her father's house 
had been the jsreacher's home in her childhood, and her life was marked by the same 
characteristic hospitality." In February, 1880, he was married to his present wife, 
Mrs. Cephalia Burgess. 




Robert Emmet .McCulloch, the present l)ook-keeper in Franklin Bnnk, is a son of 
Thomas McCulloch, who was for many years a leading clothing merchant of Clarks- 
ville. a distinguished Mason and jjrominent citizen, was born in Brownsville, Haywood 
county, Tennessee, September 7th, 1839. and was brought to Clarksviile by his parents 
in 1842 when three years of age. He was educated in 
Masonic (meantime changed to Stewart) College. He left 
college a very bright youth, and one of the most pleasing 
young orators of the school. After completing his educa- 
tion,', he commenced business rs a book-keeper in the 
Northern Rank of Tennessee, which place he held three 
V .mUhS years, from 1S57 to i860, when he was admitted as a 

luirtner in the clothing house of McCulloch. Pitman & Co. 
The firm was composed of Tliomas McCulloch. M. C. 
Pitman and R. E. McCulloch. At the commencement 
ot the war betueenthe States, he enlisted as a private in 
Company H, Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment, and u 
s )on after elected Sergeant of the Company. Later he was promoted by the \'. 
Department to First Lieutenant and .\id-de-Camp, and was assigned to duty on the 
staff of Brigadier General \\'m. McComb, which position he held to the close of the 
w.tr, when he returned home and again engaged in the clothing business with his father 
until his death in 1867, after which the house was continued in his own name several 
years. From 1872 to 1880 he was engaged in the tobacco business; three years with 
Grinter, Young & Co., three years with M. H. Clark & Bro., one year with Turnley, 
Ely & Co., and one year with S. E. Thompson & Co., New York, and since 1880 has 
occupied his place in Franklin Bank. He is also Treasurer of the Tobacco Board of 
Trade, and the efficient Secretary of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association, a 
very high and trustworthy place. Few men of his age have held more positions of 
honor and trust, and no one has discharged his duties with more efficiency, promptness 
and fidelity, and no one enjoys a larger share of jniblic confidence. He is a most 
systematic business man; a cultured gentleman of refined sensibilities and high concep- 
tions of moral rectitude. Early in life he united with the Methodist Church, making 
a faithful and useful member, and is now one of the Stewards of the church. In 1866 
Mr. McCulloch was united in marriage with Miss Bettie Williams, of Henderson, Ky., 
a lady greatly esteemed by her neighbors and acquaintances. This happy union has 
been blessed with four lovely children ; two lost, and only the two little boys. Thomas 
and Emmet, living. 

Robert B. Rossington. .Assistant Cashier of Franklin Bank, son of \\'. W. Ross- 
ington, was born in Cloyne, Ireland, June ist, 1842, and was brought to this country 
by his father, who settled in Hopkinsville in 1850. Mr. Rossington received his edu- 
cation in the common schools, and about 1859 or i860 commenced clerking and book- 
keeping in a dry goods store. During the war he engaged in farmiiig. In 1867 he 
came to New Providence and engaged in the tobacco business for AVhitlock, Mc- 



253 
Kinnev & Co., Trice's Landing, and continued in the tobacco business with different 
firms and on his own account until 1877, when he took his present position as Assistant 
Cashier in the FrankHn Bank, wliere he has served with fideHty and honor to himself; 
pr()ni])t, energetic and correct in the discharge of his duties, and ever accommodating 
to customers or strangers in the smallest want. He is a man of trained, systematic 
business habits, and a Christian gentleman. Mr. Rossington was married to Miss 
Sallie Cowherd, of Montgomery county, in November, 1S64. To them was born two 
children, Reynolds and Thomas. Mrs. Rossington died September 12th, 1870, and 
November loth, 1874, he united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Smith, daughter of 
Mr. John K. Smith, a most e.xcellent lady, and t ) them has been born one child, a 
lo\ely (laughter, Fannie. 

F.\R.MERS --\ND MERCH.\NTS N.ATIONAL B.^NK. 

The Farmers and Merchants National Bank was organized September 23rd, 18S4, 
under its charter obtained August 25th of the same year. Its first officers were Horace 
H. I.urton, President, and John \V. 
F'axon, Cashier. When Mr. Lur- 
ton was elected one of the Judges 
of the Supreme Court, Capt. J. J. 
Criisman was elected President. 
The authorized capital of the bank 
was $500,000, and the paid up 
capital $100,000. The two first 
years of its existence, u]) to January 
1st. 1887, it had set aside to its 
surplus account $4,000. had paid 
$io.ooD in dividends to its stock- 
holders, and had undivided profits 
amounting to $3,000, making a 
profit of eight and one-half per cent. 
per annum. Its growth has been rapid, and for a new institution, competing with fout 
old and well established banks, its success has been marvelous. The building it now 
occupies was built especially for the bank by Mr. Samuel Hodgson, and its interior 
arrangements supervised by its Cashier, Mr. John W. Fa.xon, make it confessedly one 
of the cosiest and most convenient banking houses in the country. It contains one of 
Hall's latest improved safes, a roomy and strong vault, guarded by one of Sargent & 
Greenleafs most modern time locks. It is now one of the leading banks of Clarks- 




Hon. Horace H. Lurton, first President of the Farmers and Merchants National 
Bank, was born in Campbell county, Ky. , son of Or. L. L. Lurton, who was at that 
time a jiractitioner there. He was educated at Douglas University, Chicago, where 
he had entered on the sophomore course, but on the breaking out of the war he re- 




turned home and entered the Fifth Tennessee Regiment, whence he was afterwards 
transferred to Morgan's Cavalry. His father had removed to Clarksville during the 
war. where the son joined him at its close. He then attended the law school of the Cum- 
berland University. Lebanon, Tenn.. where he graduated as Bachelor of Laws in Feb- 
ruary, 1867, during which year he married Nliss 
Fanny Owen, daughter of a distinguished physi- 
cian of Lebanon, and step-daughter of Professor 
James ^L Safford. the -State Geologist. Return- 
ing to Clarksville he practiced law in partnership, 
first with the Hon. G. A. Henry, and afterwards 
with the Hon. James E. Bailey. In January. 
1S75, ^^'^ Chancellorship of the district became 
vacant by the resignation of the Hon. Charles G. 
Smith, when Mr. Lurton was appointed by the 
Governor to fill the vacancy. The next year he 
was elected without opposition to the same office, 
which he held till 1878, when he resigned. The 
occasion of his resignation was the election of 
his former partner. Colonel Bailey, to the Senate 
of the L'nited States, which made it necessary that 
Judge Lurton should be at Clarksville to wind 
up the unsettled business of the firm. From 
1S78 to 1SS6, Judge Lurton practiced law in Clarksville in partnership with Judge 
Smith, his predecessor on the bench of the Chancery Court. In the courts of the 
county and circuit, he has long been known as a leader in the Clarksville bar, widely 
known for the exceptional ability of its members. In August. 1886, he was elected one 
of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, where it was predicted he would 
further develop that genius for the law which had been so long accorded him. In that 
his friends and the public have not been disappointed. He has already shown a fitness 
for the place, by the rapid and accurate dispatch of business, which stamps him at 
once as among the foremost jurists of the country. His transference to the Supreme 
bench of the State has left a vacancy not to be filled by any ordinary man. His lead- 
ing characteristics as a lawyer were a profound knowledge of the law, backed by a 
close and cogent logical faculty, which render his arguments impregnable. To his 
knowledge of the law has been added an extent of general information rarely associated 
with such professional acquirements. Judge Lurton and wife have been blessed with 
four children: Kate, the eldest, a very bright and lovely daughter, died in 1885: the 
surviving ones, Leon ;ind Horace, are sprightly boys, and May, their little daughter, 
a very sweet child. 

John W. Fa.\on. banker, traces his ancestry back on both sides of the family to 
Fngland. The .\nierican branch of the Faxon family, through a well prepared genea- 
logical history, traces back to 1601, when Thomas Faxon was born in England. He 




(.'iiiigiM'A'il III Aiiurica previous to 1647 "'ith his witV joaiic. aiul scttlcil .it Hr.iintroi.', 

Massaihiisctts. ('".In'iuvfr l'a\iiii, ilu- f^randralluT 
of |oiin W. l''a\on, who was a Captain in tiic 
rolonial army, settled in West llanroni, Conneeti- 
I lit. (now called I-Minwood) where Charles I'axon, 
the lather ol the Faxon family of Tennessee, was 
liorn julv 4th, 1799. Charles I''a\on was married 
to laiey Ann Steele, May 4th. iSj;. .She was a 
descendant ot' John Steele, w lio was born in l'',sse\, 
l'',nglantl, and emigrated to New iMigland in i6_^i 
or 16,52, ami was one of the pioneers in settling 
the State of Connecticut. Charles Faxon was a 
rinter, bookseller and editor. He condiu ted the 
Cat.skill (N. Y.) /^ccfln/ir from 1823 to 18.51, when 
he removed to Buffalo, N. \'., where he started 
the Daily Star, which afterward ( onsolidated with 
the Republican, and was one <if the strongest Dem- 
ocratic papers in New \'ork. In 1S43, with his 
family of ten children, he moved to Clarksville, where he published for a short time the 
Primiti-t'e Standard, an F^piscopal journal, with Rev. Jas. H. Otey, afterwards Rishop 
of Tennessee, as editor. .\t the same time he started the Clarksville y(;^(';w;//<?//, whi( h 
under the editorial management of himself and Charles O. F'axon, aided by his sons 
Henry W. Faxon and Leonard G. Faxon, continued until the fall of Fort Donelson as 
one of the leading Democratic organs of the State. John W. Faxon, the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Buffalo, N. V., May 24th, 1840. He received his education at 
the Montgomery Masonic College and Stewart College (now the Southwestern I'resby- 
terian University), and at an early age commenced his commercial life as a < lerk in 
the postofifice at this place. In 1856 he went with his brother-in-law, John E. Wilcox, 
to Rogersville, Tenn., where he clerked in a bank until 1859, when he was appointed 
Assistant Bank Sujiervisor for the State of Tennessee. At the beginning of the war he 
volunteered in the F'ourteenth Tennessee Regiment, Company A, and was elected 3rd 
Sergeant. During the campaign in Western Virginia he served on (ien. S. R. Ander- 
son's staff as jirivate clerk. On account of physical disabilities he was discharged 
shortly after the celebrated Cheat Mountain raid, when he returned to Clarksville and 
was appointed Brigade-Major and Assistant Adjutant- General to Brigadier-Gen. M. G. 
Gholson, of the Ninety-Second Regiment, Tennessee Militia. During the battle of 
Fort Donelson he was appointed by (General Floyd transi)ortation agent at Clarksville 
to forward convalescent and straggling soldiers to the front. After the fall of Fort 
Donelson he was detailed to carry General Floyd's report of that battle to the Secretary 
I of War at Richmond, Va. Here he received an appointment in the Treasury Depart- 
I ment of the Confederate Government, where he remained until October, 1863, when 
I he was ordered to re])ort to Kno.wille to Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey, the Confederate States 



256 

Depositary at that place, as chief clerk and to d;tect tlie counterfeit Confederate cur- 
rency which was being scattered throughout East Tennessee from its manufactory at 
Richmond, Ky. After the fall of Knoxville he reinlisted in the ;d Company of Ri( h- 
mond Howetzers, and at the Ijattle of Spottsylvania Court House, having received a 
severe concussion from a shell, he was honorably discharged from the service. As 
soon as he became convalescent, he was ordered to report to Captain V. Q. Johnson, 
in charge of the tax in kind bureau at Charlotte, N. C. , as chief clerk. The war end- 
ing, Mr. Faxon returned to Clarksville, where he entered the Northern Bank of Ten- 
nesse as Assistant Cashier, a position he filled with great satisfaction until August, 1883, 
when he resigned to accept the place as Teller in the American National Bank at 
Nashville. In January, 1884, he was elected Cashier of the Bank of Hopkinsville, at 
Hopkinsville, Ky., which position he resigned to accept the Cashiership of the Farmers 
and Merchants National Bank of this city in July. 18S4. Few men have been more 
identified with Clarksville's interests than Mr. Faxon. He served one term as City 
Treasurer, four terms as Alderman from the Seventh Ward, and as Chairman of the 
Finance Committee of the city in 1879-80-81 he was instrumental in iiringing the 
financial affairs of the city to the present high standing. As Chairman of the \\'ater 
Works Committee he aided no little in securing for the city the present excellent fire 
protection it enjoys. For twelve years he was Treasurer of the Presbyterian Chiuxh 
and collected and paid out the entire amount (over $40,000) used in erecting the 
present house of worship for that congregation. His reputation as a first-class account- 
ant called him into requisition in the winding up of the Bank of Trenton, Ky. Whether 
as bank officer. Alderman, Treasurer of the Board of Trade, Treasurer of the Uni- 
versity, or in any of the numerous non-paying positions he has held, he has always 
discharged his duties faithfully and satisfactorily. For fifteen years he was corresjiond- 
ent of the Louisville Courici-Joiirnal from Clarksville, and has frequently contributed 
articles to the press of this city and at other ])oints. He is now Cashier of the Farmers 
and Merchants National Bank, President of the Young Men's Christian Association, 
and the senior member of the firm of John W. Faxon & Co., insurance agents. He is 
also a member of the City Board of Education. Mr. Faxon was married February 2 2d, 
1866, to Miss Florence Herring of this city, and is the father of four children, Ruth, 
Ross, Reita, and Marion, all living at this date. 

Frank T. Hodg.son, general book-keeper and very handy assistant cashier, when 
so needed, is a son of Samuel Hodgson, was born in Clarksville October 6th, 1S60. 
and was educated in the city schools. He served several years as book-keeper in his 
mother's millinery's store, in Cincinnati, and with Mr. J. F. Wood in the hardware 
business until August, 1885, when he was elected to liis present position in the Farmers 
and Merchants National Bank. He is al.so junior member in the insurance firm of 
John W. Faxon & Co. Mr. Hodgson is a young man of superior business qualifica- 
tions and high integrity, filling every stat'on with credit to himself. He was married 
October 6th, 1885, to Miss Lynnie Wilson, daughter of Mr. G. B. Wilson, a lady of 
splendid accomplishments. 





257 
Hon. John F. House. 

A volume purporting to be a history of Clarksville would be judged incomplete, 
should it omit to give extended space to the career and character of the distinguished 
gentleman whose name appears as the title to this sketch. Though yet at a period of 
life happily described by Victor Hugo as "the youth of old age," he has been closely 
identified with the history of public affairs in this 
city and his native State for the full term of a 
genera'ion, and in various responsible and exalted 
trusts has achieved a reputation, within and witli- 
out the borders of Tennessee, ranking him among 
the worthiest of her sons whose fame she is proud 
to cherish. Not unambitious, for generous aspira- 
tion is an instinct with those endowed with uncom- 
mon talents, it may be truly said of him, that the 
])opular judgment early discerned his intellectual 
endow-ments and sterling character, and without 
effort on his part, dedicated them to the public 
service. In every sphere in which they have been 
called into action, he has amply redeemed the 
auspicious promise of youth, and as the theatre for '^^^i •}\\ 
the display of his powers enlarged, his appreciative 
friends have been more assured of the accuracy of 
their estimate. Retiring in his nature and defer- 
ential to others, and always indisposed to jostle chariot wheels in the race for promo- 
tion, he is, without question, accorded a first place — the peer of any man in the 
State — and adjudged worthy of the first honors her people can bestow. 

The territory of Tennessee was ceded to the Federal Government by North Caro- 
lina, and many of its early settlers were immigrants from that State, and among them 
were the ancestors of John Ford House. His father, a lad at the time, grew to man- 
hood in Williamson county, Tennessee, and married Margaret S. Warren, a descendant 
of a prominent family of Virginia — the Dabneys — whose religious faith was Presby- 
terian, having furnished one or more noted ministers to that church. Some years alter 
the death of his father, his mother intermarried with Willis G. Jones, of Williamson 
county. She survives to an octogenarian age in the immediate neighborhood where 
her life has been passed, and to the home of this venerable matron on whom, by the 
death of his father when he was quite young, the rearing of the subject of this sketch 
was devolved, her devoted son takes time from his busy life to make frequent dutiful 
pilgrimages of esteem and affection. At the Williailison county homestead he was born, 
January gth, 1827. The basis of his education was acquired under the tuition of Edwin 
Paschall, a man of genuine culture and superior talents, with remarkable aptitude for 
his profession. He had many pupils who became successful men in various pursuits. 
He lived to witness such results, and spoke of them with pride, and not least of the 




258 
success of this pupil, whose distinction entitles him to extended mention in this work. 
Leaving the academy of Paschall, young House entered 'IVansylvania I'niversity, near 
I-exington, Kentucky, luit did not complete its curriculum for graduation, his prepara- 
tory education terminating at the close of the junior year. 

The straitened circumstances which compelled him to leave his college course 
unfinished, recpiired him also before the attainment of his majority, to prepare himself 
for a calling for supjjort, and with this view, he entered the law office of Campbell and 
McEwen, of Franklin, Tennessee. Hero, for a few months, necessarily without much 
helpful iiisti IK tiiHi. lie plodded his wearv way throunh the intricate pages of Blackstone 
and Kent, at times quite discouraged. The Lebanon law school, afterward so famous 
a seat of legal learning, was, at that time, newly opened, and he betook himself thither, 
and soon, under the systematic and erudite t'-aching of Professors Caruthers and Green, 
he was stimulated with increased zeal in his chosen profession, and became a devoted 
and favorite student, especially of the former. The necessity for immediate exertion 
for a livelihood, forced him to lea\ e that institution before its entire course of study was 
completed, but owing to his great proficiency, the faculty awarded him the full honors 
of a finished course, and conferi:ed its diploma upon him in 1850. An oration, pro- 
nounced as a representative of one of the literary societies of that school, was regarded 
as an extraordinary effort, and laid the foundation of the reputation which has since 
been so fully sustained at the forum, on the hustings, and in Congress. To have en- 
dured the critical acumen of Judges Caruthers and Green, by whom it was highly 
praised, it must have rated far above the pyrotechnic rhetoric customary with under- 
graduates. Indeed, it became a tradition of the school. 

Immediately after leaving the law school, he opened a law office in Franklin, Ten- 
nessee, but remained only a few months. In January, 1851, he married Julia F. Beech, 
a native of the same county with himself — a daughter of Mr. L. H. Beech, a prosperous 
farmer of that region, whose wife was a Miss Crenshaw, from Virginia. Mrs. House 
was educated at the Nashville Female Academy, in the palmy days of that renowned 
school. Their union has been blessed with one child only, which died in infancy. At 
the time of his marriage, he was newly settled in this city in the practice of law, which 
has since been his home. Clarksville had been long distinguished for the high order 
of talents and learning possessed by its members of the legal profession, and the young 
barrister, fresh from his studies, was at once thrown into competition with fornlidable 
veterans. An almost immediate success proved the temper of his ability and equip- 
ment, and the continued renown of the Clarksville bar is, in a great degree, due to the 
brilliant addition it then ac(iuired in his person. 

By instinct and conviction a Whig, as the country was then politically divided, it 
was in the following year, memorable for the last national struggle of that party in an 
organized form, that Mr. House entered the field of political digladiation, as sub-elector 
for the county of Montgomery, in behalf of the candidacy of General Scott. In the 
next year — 1853 — he was sent as the representative of that county in the General As- 
sembly, the first which sat in the present capitol. His talents attracted attention in 



259 
that liody, containing, as it did, more than a iisiiai nmnljer of men of ability. A spect h 
in opposition to a measure aiming to institute a radical scheme of law reform, was a 
< onsjjicuous effort, and illustrated the sound conservatism he has always displayed. 
The term reform was, in that instance, perhaps, as it nearly always is, in matters of 
public concern, an alluring title to some charlatanical project which usually changes 
things for the worse. The speech elicited commendation from eminent lawyers of the 
State. During the session, a brochure came from his ]jen in the form of a report from 
the Committee on l!un( ombe, whi( h was specially appointed on his motion to consider 
a projjosition to alter the Constitution by Legislative enactment, reducing the per diem 
of members of the General Assembly. Retrenchment — the twin besetting Legislative 
folly with reform — and its customary motive, was merciles.sly caricatured in that hu- 
morous pajier, which was ])ublished at the time. It finely exhibited the power of rid- 
i( ule which Mr. House frequently uses when the occassion is pertinent. 

In a few years, Mr. House had attained a commanding position in his profession, 
both as a coun.selor and advocate, and was retained in a large number of the important 
causes arising in the e.xtensive circuit of which Clarksville is the centre. In every 
political contest, however, his eloquent voice was heard, and notably in that of 1856, 
when the conservatism of the South, under the lead of Fillmore, endeavored to stem 
the tide of the sectionally aggressive forces which had been set in motion by the repeal 
of the Mi.ssouri compromise two years before. Some of his deliverances of that year 
were equal to any of his best efforts subsequently, and achieved for him wide fame as 
a jjowerful debater. In i860, he reluctantly left his lucrative business at the call of 
his ])arty, but the duty was one he would not avoid, and he became the district electoral 
candidate for Bell and Everett in that decisive contest in which the banner of "the 
L'nion. the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws" went down, not to rise 
again until it emerged rent and disfigured, from the blood and fire of civil war. In 
that distempered hour, the utterances of no man in the State were more persua.sively 
eloquent and forcible in the attempt to allay the passions which precipitated that re- 
sult. 

Kearly in 1861, under the authority of the Legislature, an election was held for 
delegates to a sovereignty convention to consider the impending crisis in public affairs, 
and to deliberate upon the attitude of the State thereto, and also an election submitting 
the question of the assembling of such a body. Mr. House was cho.sen as a delegate, 
but the ])0]Hilar majority was largely against its assembling, and the proceeding was 
nugatory. Had the convention been organized, it may well be conjectured that, in 
some aspects at least, the relationship of Tennessee to subsequent events might have 
been different, and the fortunes of prominent actors in that era have had another his- 
tory. \ very decided majority of the delegates-elect were devoted to the maintenance 
ol the Union, and representing the latest expression of the popular will, might have 
organized a preponderating sentiment adverse to an alliance with the Confederate 
cause, even against the fierce tempest of feeling which swejjt the State a few months 
later. \\'hate\er might have hajipened in such a conjuncture is, however, foreign to 



260 

this sketi li. Mr. House maintained his attaihnient to the cause of peace, fraternity 
and union, and would have upheld the Crittenden i omproniise, or any satisfactory ami 
practical adjustment, and did not cease to labor and to hope in that behalf, until all 
efforts and hopes were silenced amid the thunder of guns at Simiter, and the tramp of 
hosts marching South. Thereupon, he, as did many another true jiatriot, saw his line 
of duty in the unification of the peojjle of the State in resistance to coercive measures, 
and in the rapid progress of events, firmly aligned himself with the Southern cause. 

When, after the ])opular vote for " separaticm ", the State formally acceded to the 
Confederate government, Mr. House was elected a member of the Provisional Con- 
gress, and served in that body until February, 1862, having declined to be a candidate 
for the permanent Congress which superseded the former. He then sought service ii\ 
the field, and was assigned to the statT of (leneral Ceorge Maney and participated in 
the battles of Murt'reesborough, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the treipient 
fierce engagements between the armies of (Jenerals Johnston and Sherman beyond 
Dalton. until Ncu llnpo Chun h was reached, in the Spring of 1.S64. .\t that i)oinl 
he was ordered by the Ri< hmond war office to report for duty as Judge .Vdvocate, 
with the rank of captain of cavalry, of the military court sitting in North -Alabama, and 
was engaged in that service until the termination of hostilities, when he was paroled, 
at Columbus, Mississijipi. in June, 1S65. From that point he returned to his home, 
which, for more than three years, had been within the lines of Federal occupation. 
Like most, it not all others who cast their tortunes on the hazard of the losing die in 
that desperate conflict, he was reduced to the necessity of rebuilding entirely his 
ruined estate, and to this he set about with characteristic energy in the practice of the 
law. .\s soon as quiet was restored and business resumed, litigation became active, 
and he was thenceforward constantly engaged in the various courts. 

In 1868 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention meeting in the 
city of New York. That was a body not in all respects judiciously constituted, or 
under the guidance of any well-digested and defined views of public ])olicy, or well in 
hand in the interest of any leading character as a candidate for the presidency. It 
was the formative stage of a new political organization in fact, only partly welded then 
bv the fires of the sectional struggle which gave rise to political issues proceeding from 
it. While Colonel House, in common with all conservative men in every section, 
utterly rejirobated the truculent and tyrannical measures of reconstruction which the 
party in majority were enforcing, with others of the body he did not approve of some 
extreme utterances put forth in the ]Uatform and declarations of its chief spokesman, 
which could have no other effect than to bring the disastrous dafeat which followed. 
In 1870 he was a member of the convention called to revise the constitution of the 
State, and was able and influential in shaping its work. He served as one of the i om- 
mittee on the judicial department. He was the author of the proposition extending 
the gubernatorial term to four years, and giving the governor the veto power that 
functionary now ])ossesses, and providing for a lieutenant-governor, who should be (W- 
officio president of the senate. The entire proposition met with the favor of the con- 



26 I 

vcntion, hut was afterward reconsidered and lost by a small majority, except in the 
feature noted. He was the author also of a wholesome [proposition for an amendment 
remitting the trial, on their merits, of a large and defined class of misdemeanors to jus- 
tices of the peace, thus superseding the necessity of such culprits being confined in jail 
awaiting indictment, and being put through the tedious and costly forms of trial in the 
higher courts. It is the absence of such a provision that so enormously swells the item 
in the treasury budget under costs of criminal prosecutions. The measure failed by a 
majority of two votes. In 1872 he supported the folorn candidacy of Horace Greeley 
for the ijresidency, rather as a protest against the Cirantism of the period, which seemed 
to cmliody all that was politically vicious, whether of principle or practice, than an en- 
dorsement of that singular political movement; and at the same election, actively an- 
tagonized tilt- return to the public councils of Andrew Johnson, who was a candidate 
for rc[iresentative at large for the House of Representatives. 

In 1774 he was nominated for Congress from the Nashville district by acclamation, 
and took his seat in December, 1875, as a member of the Forty-fourth Congress. He 
received a similar form of nomination in 1876, 1878 and 1880, and voluntarily declined 
to serve another term. His period of service comprised the last half of General Grant's 
second term, all of Hayes', and the first half of the Garfield-Arthur administration. 
His entrance of the National Legislature was at the advent of the first Democratic ma- 
jority in the lower house after the first Congress under Buchanan, eighteen years be- 
fore, and for six years of his service that party was in power in the body. Many 
imijortant questions were debated, and during the winter ot 1 876-' 7 7, pending the 
electoral count, the scenes were tempestuous, surpassing in excitement perhaps those of 
any former time. Colonel House was a conspicuous and influential member from the 
first session. During his Congressional career, several Democratic members from his 
State were his elders in age and of longer service, and their preferment in the organiza- 
tion of the House of Representatives to a degree excluded him from that character of 
advancement to which his conceded capacity would otherwi.se have promoted him. 
Hut he was at once assigned to leading committees — the judiciary, elections, the Pacific 
railroad, the Texas Pacific, civil service reform, and the special committee on laws 
relating to the election of President and Vice-President. He served as chairman of the 
Democratic Congressional caucus, and in 1879 was prominently considered for the 
.Speakership of the House, many discreet members of his party urging him as a more 
judicious choice than either of the recognized aspirants. With characteristic modesty 
he gave no countenance to the movement. His committee work was promptly and 
efficiently done in all its stages. While not ambitiously frefjuent in speech from the 
floor, from his first effort he always commanded the attention and interest of the body, 
and his participation in brief current debates-;vas always pointed and forcible. His 
more formal speeches were always full expositions of the subject, pregnant with 
thought and suggestion, expressed in vigorous and eloquent diction, and delivered 
with the animation and fervor of the genuine orator. His first speech in committee of 
the whole, in 1876, was on a delicate and difficult question at that juncture to a 



262 

Southern Representative— the relations uf the North and South. It was treated in a 
considerate and masterly manner, and was pronounced by man)- of liis Southern col- 
leagues competent to discriminate, the most statesmanlike utterance drawn forth in the 
long discussion. It gave great satisfaction to his ijpmediate constituency, and secured 
his position as a leading exponent of the manliness and conservatism of the Southern 
Democracy. ( )ther notable speeches during his Congre.ssional service were those on 
the Louisiana returning board, whose matchless scoundrelism was vehemently de- 
nounced ; on the tobacco tax, a subject of great interest to the region he represented ; 
on the state of the Union, involving a discussion of the relations of capital and labor 
and the burden of the public debt ; on the policy of the government toward the Texas 
Pacific railway ; on appropriation measures generally, and equality before the hw of 
the different .sections of the country; on civil service reform; on the election of dele- 
gate Cannon, of Utah ; and on the question of claims against the government. He 
also delivered eulogies on George S. Houston, of Alabama, and Benjamin H. Hill, of 
C;eorgia, who died members of the Senate of the United States. Both were models of 
chaste and tasteful allusion in that most difficult line of oratory, and the latter glowed 
with admiration of the s])len(litl character it i)ortrayed. His service in Congress was 
so useful and distinguished, tliat his retirement was not only cause of regret in Tennes- 
see, but throughout the country. The withdrawal of such men from public employ- 
ment often gives rise to the reflection that our system should, perhaps, in some manner 
offer greater inducements for retaining to the use of the government the superior qual- 
ifications they ]iossess, and the valuable experience they have acquired. 

In May, iSSo, at the centennial celebration of the founding of Nashville, he was 
selected to deliver the oration at the unveiling of an equestrian statute of Andrew Jack- 
son erected on the grounds of the capitol. and in the presence of the thousands assem- 
bled on the occasion, he pronounced an eloquent eulogy on the character of the great 
soldier and statesman. Since he has been in private life and immersed in professional 
engagements, he has only appeared in public to serve as a delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention of 18S4, and was Chairman of the Tennessee delegation in 
that body. Perfect frankness and unchallenged integrity of motive and conduct have 
illustrated alike Colonel House's public and personal relationships, and no imputation 
of chicane or demagogy has ever assailed his character, \\hen called upon, lie has 
met every issue at tbe threshold without ecjuivocal utterance. Educated in the princi- 
ples and traditions of the Whig party under the tutelage of Clay, Webster, Bell, White 
and other more or less eminent leaders, who, for more than three decades of the 
country's history, witli varying success impressed the i)olicy of the government, until 
the era of the (■i\il war, he was its ardent and devoted adherent. Since that period, 
he has been a not less bold an<l faithful member of the Democratic partv, and in this 
apparent radical change of political convictions there is no inconsistency. The limit 
of this sketch affords no proper field for the discussion of the question involved in this 
statement. Sufifice it to say. that the i)rolonged predominance of a party exercisini^. 
during the sectional contlict and for twenty years after, powers of the government far 



263 

lieyond the text and spirit of its constitutional scope, profoundly altered the entire 
Iiiilitical situation. In resistance to such tendencies and policies, the very essence of 
the conservatism which was the cardinal characteristic of the Whig party, required men 
wlio proposed to conform the workings of the government to the intent of the chart of 
its legitimate functions, to reverse their political attitude. The multifarious mi.schief 
of centralization, and the absorption by the general government of all power reserved 
rcspectivel)' to the several States and to their peoples, became the paramount evil to be 
repressed, 'i'o this spirit and purpose, is to be attributed Colonel House's political 
views and efforts for twenty years past, and he is but a prominent exemplar and type 
of a large majority of former Southern Whigs. All history teaches true statecraft to be 
the adoption of principles and the adaptation of ineasures which may best preserve the 
pro])er ends of government and meet current exigencies in public affairs, and that 
differing periods present different requirements. That is the just and simple solution 
of the (juestion. To the change in views thus necessitated, Colonel House has been 
inflexibly consistent. He opposes all interposition directly or indirectly by the Federal 
Covernment with concerns properly within State cognizance and control, and resists 
the centripital force in every direction and particular. To this end, he has recently 
published a letter of great power in opposition to such legislation as presented in the 
JUair educational bill now pending in Congress, and it may be said that no argument 
delivered against it in the Senate of the United States equals that letter in cogency and 
conclusixcnc'ss, either as to the constitutionality or expediency of the measure. He 
does not hold that the "general welfare" clause in the Constitution gives Congress 
general power of legislation on every subject, nor does he on the other hand, assert the 
(|ualified sovereignty of the States against the powers delegated to the general govern- 
ment, but he does hold the vast mass of legislation affecting the immediate concerns of 
the people, is wholly within the inalienable province of State authority. 

Though holding no official connection with the State government since his Legis- 
lative service more th^n thirty years ago, he has properly been moved to deep interest 
in her public affairs, and with customary candor and decision, has expressed his views 
on questions which have agitated her people. The most distracting of these since the 
war was the disposition of the State debt. Its final adjustment, determined by the 
Democratic State Convention of 1882, was justified and boldly upheld by Colonel 
House as the wisest practical settlement of which it was susceptible. Valued friends 
differed and criticised his course as a departure from the standard by which he had 
held public and private obligations to be governed. Of course he, with the large ma- 
jority who coincided with him, knew it was ideally right that the composition of a pub- 
lic debt so Contracted should be on terms proposed or agreed to by the creditors, but it 
was very clear the time when such an adjustment was possible had irrevocably passed, 
and that in the ferment of popular feeling and the rapid drift of events, repudiation of 
the entire debt was imminent. The action of the Democratic majority of the State, 
which alone could effect any permanent settlement acceptable to the people, was 
timely, and averted a conclusion of the question which might have brought irretrievable 



n 



264 

ruin and irrei)arable dishonor. The result, year by year, since the adjustment, amply"' 
vindicates the wisdom and substantial justice of the course pursued by Colonel House 
and those who acted with him. 

The biographer's duty would fail in its ])ert'orniancc if he did not endeavor to pre- 
sent some of the more personal characteristics of his subject. Colonel House is of 
medium height, compact in figure, and inclining to portliness. He is fully developed 
in the region of the chest, giving him the powerfully resonant voice he uses with such 
skill and effect in public speech. His head is large, well set upon its support, and 
animated by intellectual and ex])ressive features. His carriage and address is one of 
ease and natural dignity. Neither in the social circle or his daily walk, or before a 
jury, a deliberative body, or a popular audience, does he present any of the artificial 
graces of what, for a better word, is usually called style. He is everywhere and in all 
senses, an earnest man, too deeply interested in whatever is in hand to pause to con- 
sider such trivial adjuncts. And yet his deportment is devoid of nothing whose place 
such things could supply. His forensic and popular addresses, whether the occasion be 
more or less important, are solid and weighty in matter, and never without point, and 
clothed in copious and forceful diction, appeal to the reason and judgment of his 
hearers. Figurative illustration of his love of thought is not wanting, but he uses, 
without distasteful excess, the rare gifts of imagination and fancy natural to him. His 
temperament is fervid, and breathing through every movement of mind and bodily 
gesture, there is an intensity of feeling sometimes manifest in vehement delivery. This 
prompts him, too, at times, to employ invective, and to the display of powers of sar- 
casm which an antagonist may well apprehend. He easily relaxss from the cares of his 
office and business, and in the abandon of a circle of friends, he is a most entertaining 
and agreeable companion. For a number of years he has been a communicant of the 
Methodist church, and has served as a lay representative in its assemblies. 

As a public man, he is equally without the art or the inclination to seek popularity 
by other than legitimate methods — the worthy performance of every duty which mav 
confront him, and the open avowal of his convictions and sentiments. By such means 
he has maintained a public character than which none is held in higher estimation by 
his fellow-citizens of all parties, alike for splendid abilities and stern fidelity to every 
trust. He bids fair to attain a more exalted official station than he has yet held, and 
in such a sphere he would win the confidence and admiration of the people of Ten- 
nessee to an equal degree witli any man who has ever served as her representative in 
the Senate of the United States. 



^65 
Hon. Auihuk H. Munford. 
Hon. Arthur H. Munford, the present efficient Judge of this judicial circuit, is 
widely and favorably known in this and adjoining counties. No man has more friends 
than he, and no man deserves to have more. He has grown up here in our midst, and 
hy dint of energy and perseverence, aided by a naturally kind heart and amiable tem- 
l)er, he has fought his way to a position in the 
esteem and affection of our peojjle of which any 
man might be jjroud. Mr. Munford has a singular 
faculty for making friends wherever he goes. In 
the Legislature of 1884, where he represented this 
county, he gained the warm friendship of Speaker 
Manson and other prominent members. As Chair- 
man of the Judiciary Committee he won laurels for 
himself and dis])layed a knowledge of the law and 
a fa( ulty for dispatching business which showed 
him to be eminently fitted for the position he now 
so gracefully and satisfactorily fills. Mr. Munford 
was born in Clarksville on the 2nd day of June, 
1849. His father was a prominent Whig in the 
old days when Clay and Polk contended for the 
mastery in Tennessee, and more than once repre- 
sented this county in the Legislature. He died in 
the prime of life just before the war broke out, and 

his oldest son, entering the army soon after, was killed at the battle of Franklin, so 
that Arthur found himself, almost in childhood, the head and mainstay of the family. 
He had, however, the example and advice of an intelligent mother to guide him, and 
from his youth up he has been sober and industrious, of excellent morals, and a dispo- 
sition so accommodating that he has never lacked for friends, .\rthur was educated 
at Stewart College here, and is out and out a Montgomery county product. He studied 
law in the ofifice of General \Vm. A. Quarles. and came to the bar about sixteen years 
ago, since which time, up to his election to the office of Circuit Judge, he diligently 
followed the practice of his profession. He has several times presided as Special Judge 
in the Circuit and Criminal Courts in this and adjoining counties, and has always 
ac(iuitted himself creditably. He is quick to see the point in the discussion of a ques- 
tion, prompt and decisive in his rulings, and clear in his charges to juries or in announc- 
ing his conclusion on any disputed point. With all this, he has an affability and a 
courtesy springing from native politeness, which has enabled him to avoid giving 
offense even to those with whom he has been colnpelled to differ in o];inion. In his 
last canvas for the Legislature and in his course at Nashville, you always knew exactly 
where to find him, and while all of tiis constituents did not perhaps endorse his course 
upon every public measure, none could fail to respect him for his candor and for the 
firmness with which he advocated what he thought to be right. On the 29th of April, 




iSSo, Mr. Munfurd was married to Miss Lilly Underwood, of Bowling Crecii, Ky., 
daughtej- of Hon. Joseph R. Underwood, one of the most distinguished nun thai our 
neighboring State was --ver [iroduced. An early and life long triend of Henry Clay, 
Covernor Underwood filled almost every position of trust that his people could confer 
on hull, and it is not too nuich to say that his daughter, who became Mrs. Munford. 
nihented many of the rare traits of character that made her father so respected and 
beloved in his day. Mrs. Munford was a lady of especially bright mind, and of such 
kmd heart and winning manners that she was a universal favorite in the new home here 
to which her hushand brought her. It was a literal fact with her. that 
•• Non..' knew her but to love her ; 
Nor named her but to ])raise." 
She died in the early sj.ring of 1885. leaving tw., little girls, the oldest about four years 
of age, the youngest onl\- a few davs old. 

J<>sHU.\ Coin!. 
Dr. Joshua Cobb was a native of Kddyville. Ky.. born .^jiril 19th, 1809. He 
possessed a strong and active intellect, and received a liheral education. He graduated 
at West Point Military .Vcademy in 1835 with distinc- 
tion, and won high honors in the medical schools. 
His sjjlendid talent and studious application gained for 
him a most lucrative position at once, that of medical 
attendant or resident jjhysician at Cumberland Iron 
Works, Stewart county, where his active career was 
commenced. The Cumberland Iron Works Company 
operated three furnaces. Bear Spring, Dover and Bell- 
wood. They employed slave labor, and negroes were 
so valuable that iron makers were comjjelled to employ 
the best medical talent. Dr. Cobb had the j^ractice of 
these three furnaces by contract, and soon gained in 
addition a lucrative practice in the thickly populated 
lountn NUiroundmg During the same year (1835) he was married to Miss Julia 
Mimms, an accomplished lady of his native town, Eddyville, who was a daughter of 
Lieutenant-Governor Mimms, of Virginia, who died in 1841, and in 1843 he married 
Mrs. Mariana T. Dortch, who was a daughter of Colonel Henry H. Bryan, who repre- 
sented the Clarksville District four years in Congress. Dr. Cobb was noted for his 
|)ractical business sense, as well as his medical skill and thoroughly trained mind, and 
success attended his efforts. He was greatly encouraged by the sound judgment and 
unerring counsel of his good wife, whom he consulted on all important transactions. 
While engaged in his profession, riding over the country, he became familiar with the 
rich iron deposits, and by the advice of his wife bought a large amount of these lands, 
and about 1844 he gave up his practice and organized the Rough and Ready Furnace 
Company, composed of himself, Thomas \\'. Barksdale, Samuel Cooke and William 




267 
IJradley. 'I'liuy built the Rough and Ready Furnace and ojjerated it very successfully 
one year, and sold out to Barksdale, Johnson & Co. for $65,000. The. nexljf venture 
was the purchase of Lagrange Furnace. In this Messrs. 1). N. Kennedy and ^Villiam 
Phillips were partners, under the style of Cobb, Phillips & Co. This also [proved a 
paying investment, and the company was induced to build the Eclipse Furnace, and 
buy the Clark Furnatx' and a one-third interest in the Girard Furnace. These last 
purchases proved a mistake, and consumed the profits of Lagrange. The property 
de]jreciated greatly during the war, and it was only by the best management that they 
got out safe, and was about the only one of the many iron companies that saved any- 
thing from the wreck of the war. This magnificent property, valued at a tpiarter of a 
million of dollars, was sacrificed for $75,000. 

Dr. Cobb moved to Clarksville in 1851, continuing his connection with the iron 
interest, and giving his attention to the outside work, such as selling iron, buying sup- 
plies, settling accounts, etc. Before moving here, however, he bought the present 
Cobb homestead of Judge William Turner, who moved to Nashville about that time. 
This place consisted of four acres, the beautiful forest hill, a small grove between 
ALidison and Commerce and Fifth and Sixth streets, on which is now located the beau- 
tiful homes of Mr. Merritt, Mrs. Pettus, and Dr. George Bowling, besides the Cobb 
home. This proved a wise investment, the most beautiful square in the city, for which 
he ]jaid a sum equal to $5,500 cash, from which lot Mrs. Cobb has since sold off 
$13,000 worth of lots, and still has the value of $10,000 left. The Cobb residence was 
built by Judge Turner and not quite finished when Dr. Cobb bought it. The house 
built by \Villiam Bradley is now worth, saying nothing of the ground, more than the 
whole |jla<:e cost. 

Dr. Cobb at once identified himself with the public-sjjirited citizens, taking an 
active part in all city and county measures of progress. His splendid business talent, 
high order of intellect, stern integrity and practical methods which so well fitted him 
for a leader in society were soon recognized, and he was called to the front on every 
occasion when wise counsel and courage of convictions were needed. He was po.s- 
sessed ol a high sense of honor, and being of an ira.scible temperament, had no patience 
with anything of a seeming wrong purpose. He was generally careful and conscien- 
tious in his investigations of public matters, and after making up his mind was always 
ready to give a reason for his convictions in the most forcible expression. It required 
iindoul)ted evidence to change his views, and he always maintained his opinions with 
vigorous energy. His opposition to what he conceived to be grossly wrong was most 
aggressive and often violent, no matter who stood in the way, and with all he was 
tender as a woman in his nature, possessing a heart full of sympathy for weak and 
suffering humanity, and kind to a fault in his personal relations with his fellow man. 
He was elected several terms Mayor of the city, and served with the highest credit to 
himself, ever watchful of the public interest. About 1866, after retiring from active 
business, he was persuaded to serve the county as Magistrate, which he did with dis- 
tinguished ability up to the minute of his death, which occurred suddenly in open court 



26cS 

on the 7th of April. 1879. '^^' "-'^ ■" ''■"■' t'"!"-' rcLjnrilcd as the foremost iiieiiilier ot 
the County Court, serveil on all important committees, and always lilletl the chair in the 
absence of the judge. 

By his first marriage Dr. Cobb had two children, Irene, wife of C"aptain F. P. 
(iracey, and Captain Robert I.. Cobb, at i)resent chief engineer and manager of new 
construction for the l,ouis\ illc i\; Nashville Railroad Company. To his second marriage 
with Mrs. Dntch, who is the mother of William T. and Dr. George C. Dortch by her 
first marriage, was born Edwin Cobb, who w-as mortally wounded in the Confederate 
service at Chancellorsville the same day that General Stonewall Jackson fell, and died 
soon after at Richmond, ^■a.; Mary, who married Captain W. B. Tajjscott ; Marina, 
wife of H. C. Jessiip, Mt. Rose, Penn.; Virginia, wife of City Marshal Robert H. 
Williams; Sallie West, wife of Mr. Bryce Stewart, and son, Gideon Clark, who dietl 
at nine years of age. His widow, Mrs. Marina Cobb, who is now seventy-si.\ years of 
age, still survives, occupying the homestead, and is one of the most interesting ladies 
of Clarksville — a lady of clear head, active brain, and particularly bright memory, keen 
perception, posted on all current events and very entertaining, observing all the cour- 
tesies of society with charming grace. Dr. Cobb lacked but a few da\s of seventy 
years. His sudden death was the result of apoplexy, no doubt brought on sooner tVom 
undue ex( itement in a heated discussion of a public question before the County Court. 
He had been in feeble health for some time from heart disease, and sudden death was 
to be expected, but was not looked for at that time. The following extract from the 
Courier-Joiirihil of the following day by the Clarksville correspondent describes the 
scene of his death : "At about halt"-past ten o'clock this morning the whole communit\- 
was shocked to learn that Dr. Joshua Cobb had died suddenly of heart disease while in 
discharge of his duty as a member of the County Court at the Court House in this city. 
The report spread rapidly and great excitement prevailed. The County Court was en- 
gaged at its regular April term in transacting its business. The report of Judge Tyler 
ujion the compromise of a recent lawsuit of the county against the Louisville &: Nash- 
ville railroad was up for discussion. Dr. Cobb made a speech in relation to the sub- 
ject, during which he showed great earnestness and appeared, as he always did when 
deeply interested in a discussion, very much excited. At the close of his remarks, 
while another member was addressing the Court, he staggered, uttered a peculiar sound 
and fell forward into the arms of those who stood near him. Drs. Daniel F. Wright 
and C. W. Bailey were called to his a.ssistance. Proper restoratives were applied, but 
all efforts were fruitless, as his spirit had flown from earth. * * * F"or some time 
past his health has been gradually failing, until death to-day struck the fatal blow while 
he was manfully fighting for what he deemed the best interests of his county, leaving 
to be inscribed upon his monument the noble tribute, 'Died at his |)Ost.' * * * * 
Out of respect to his memory the County Court has adjourned until Monday, A]iril 21, 
and all places of business will be closed at the time of his funeral." The Chkomci k 
closed a well-written article on his character with the following paragraph noticing the 
obsequies : "His funeral at the Methodist Church was largely attended, and the grand 




269 
points in his (/haracter as an honest and kind-hearted man and a just and conscientious 
magistrate were impressively dwelt upon hy the two ministers. Rev. R. K. Brown and 
\V. Moonev. The interment was in the family allotment of the City Cemetery." 

Charlks Baii.kv. 

Chirlcs I'.ailcy was horn in Sampson county, North Carolina, on February rjth, 
1 79 1. His father, David Bailey, came from Scotland in the year 1770, and was mar- 
ried to Mary Williamson, daughter to Daniel Williamson and Jeannette McDougle. 
David B..iley died in 1794, and his widow, Mary, with her cliildren, came to Mont- 
gomery county, Tennessee, in the year 1X05. The 
( hildreii walked nearly all the way out, crossing Red 
kiver at Port Royal in April, 1805, wading the streams 
in their bare feet. Miss Elizabeth White, who after- 
wards married C. H. P. Marr, was one of the party, 
and Charles liailey always admitted that she was the 
best walker in the party. The widow settled near 
Clarksville, in the neighborhood of the old Lee Hen- 
derson place. Here she eked out a living for a large 
family of small children. Charles Bailey came to this 
I ity about the year 1808, and on the 29th of May, 1817, 
he was married to Mary Bryan, daughter of James H. 
Bryan, of Roliertson county, Tenn. He was elected 
('lerk of the Circuit Court in 1836, and was re-elected 

from term to term until 1852, when he was defeated for the office, but was again re- 
elected in 1856, and then held the office until his death on the 15th of March, 1863. 
He was dec ted Justice of the Peace, and ipialified on January 3rd, 1853, on which 
day he was chosen Chairman of the County Court. He became a rnember of the 
Presbyterian Church about the year 1842, and was afterwards selected as one of the 
Elders in the church. Mr. Bailey was a Whig in political sentiment, though very con- 
servative, taking no very active part in politics. No citizen or public officer was ever 
more universally popular with the masses. His defeat for one term of his office was a 
great surprise, and more an accident than otherwise. Joseph M. Dye, a very popular 
Democrat, made the race against him for the clerkship, running upon his merits as a 
man and Democrat, and had no fault to urge against Mr. Bailey except that he was a 
Whig and had held the office a long time uninterruptedly. His friends had no idea 
that Mr. Dye could defeat him, and made no exertions to bring out his vote, while 
Mr. Dye and friends drew the political lines closely and worked diligently. There 
never was a complaint or an objection offered against him in the discharge of his official 
duties, nor against him personally. He was a man absolutely without personal ene- 
mies, and Democrats, ever after that defeat, voted for him as before, notwithstanding 
that party contest was close and often bitter. There was a kind of magnetism about 
his benevolent face that drew all men to him. He was most sincere in all things, his 





heart lull of tt-inlcr devotion, and his rricmlship genuine, and few men have exercised 
a more potent influence. The position he so long occupied made him (piite a good 
lawyer, and his advice, so much sought after, was always sound. Mr. Bailey was as 
pure as men get to be in this life, living in an age \\ hen nun were judged by principles 
of honor, not dollars and cents. He floated upon the s|ihere of integrity. Mrs. Bailey 
was also a lady of decided character and great worth to the comnnniit)-, always foremost 
in every good work, occupying a leading position in society, giving shape to the pre- 
vailing sentiment. They lived in an old brick house on Franklin street, lately torn 
down, on the lot now occupied by the handsome residences of Dr. C E. L. McCauley 
and Mr. Marncst lieach. The house in its day was a fine residence, and was one of 
the most hospitable homes in the town. Mrs. Bailey died February ist, 1878. This 
most happy union was blessed with six ( hildren. five sons and one daughter, five of 
whom lived to be of age: Henry, father of C. H. Bailey, who died February i6th. 
1848; Miss Lucy Bailey, died July 20th, 1867; Hon. James E. Bailey, who distin- 
guished himself as the successor of Andrew Johnson in the United States Senate, died 
December 29th, 1885; Dr. C. W. Bailey, at present a most eminent physician, anil 
Charles D. Bailey, who now fills with distinction the offices of Circuit Court Clerk and 
Magistrate, so long honored by his father. 

CHAkl KS ( ). F.AXON. 

Charles Oliver Faxon was born at Catskill. New \'ork, February i8th, 1824. He 
was educated princijjallv in Buffalo, New \'ork, to which jilace his father, Charles 
Faxon, renuned in iS;i. In 1S4J he removed to Madison. Wisconsin, where he was 
connected with a newspaper as local editor, .^t eigh- 
teen years of age he e.xhibited such strength of mind 
as a news]iaper writer that he abandoned a plan he had 
in \ icw of entering \\ est Point to be educated as a 
soldier, and determined to devote his talents to the 
newspaper profession. Soon after his father's arri\al 
in Clarksville, Charles O. Faxon followed hini, and in 
1 844, during the e.xciting political contest between 
inies K. Polk and Henry Clay for the Presidency, he 
toi)k up his pen as an advocate for Democracy. From 
his boyhood he had been a student of men and politics, 
and at twenty-two years of age he was a clear, forcible 
writer, and could trace the political antecedents of 
almost every prominent man in either political party. 
The C'larksville Jcffersoiiian, at that time edited and published by his father, Charles 
Faxon, was the only Democratic paper in this Congressional District. Charles (). 
Faxon became its political editor, but he was so young that his modesty prevented the 
placing of his name at the head of the editorial column. .\t first he submitted all his 
articles to his mother, a woman of superior culture and of fine literary attainments, for 




271 

criticism, and he in after life attributed his success as a writer to her careful and severe 
( riticism of his youthful compositions. He had a most excellent memory, and at an 
early age had read and digested well all the principal standard works, both prose and 
])oetry. He was in fact a walking encyclopaedia, and could remember dates and 
speeches of the leaders of political parties almost word for word. He was courteous 
in all his writings unless attacked in an underhanded manner, or unless his editorials 
were twisted or garbled by his opponents to be used against his party. At such times 
he would send forth such cutting sarcasm and blighting wit as to utterly demolish his 
adversary. Yet his sarcasm and powerful hits left no sting, for his opponents were 
until his death his warmest personal friends. Mr. Faxon was appointed Postmaster at 
Clarksville under Buchanan's administration, a position he held until the war. When 
the war cloud between the States first made its appearance, he sedluously favored peace 
and the maintainance of the Union. He wrote strong editorials in favor of the Union 
until the attack on Fort Sumter, when he wheeled suddenly into line with the South 
and until the close of the war was one of its staunchest supporters. On several occa- 
sions the Tennessee Demacracy endeavored to induce him to take charge as political 
editor of the Union and American at Nashville, but having a weak constitution, and 
knowing the arduous labor required as editor of a daily paper, he declined the position. 
In 1862 he was a candidate for the Confederate Congress, his opponent being Dr. 
'I'homas Me.iees, of Robertson county. In this contest the party leaders whom he had 
served so well and faithfully, and whom he had labored so successfully to elevate, 
proved treacherous to his cause, and the old story was repeated — he was defeated. 
After the fall of Fort Donelson, Mr. Faxon went South and vi^as employed on the Chat- 
tanooga Rebel, afterwards becoming its editor-in-chief, which position he held until the 
])aper was turned over to General Wilson, at Selma, Alabama. The Chattanooga 
liel'el was one of the most remarkable papers of that period. The property of Franc 
M. Paul, of Nashville, it followed the Western army, issuing its daily editions and sell- 
ing thousands of copies to the soldiers, containing all the latest news up to the hour of 
its (Hiblication. It moved from place to place, advanced and retreated with the army, 
and never missed an edition. At the close of the war, Mr. Faxon returned to Clarks- 
ville, but was soon summoned to Louisville, Ky. , by Colonel W. N. Haldeman, when 
he was made political editor of the Louisville Courier, which had been suspended dur- 
ing the war. The paper in the face of the strongest advocates of Southern destruction, 
]nit on a bold front, and from the start fought manfully for the rights of a prostrate 
people. Threats were frequendy made at the Capital that the Courier would be sup- 
pressed and its editor imprisoned. These threats had no other effect than to make the 
editorials of the pager more bitter against Republican despotism, and the paper defi- 
antly stood its ground and used all its power in Securing for the South better treatment 
from the Northern bullies. Here Mr. Faxon formed the acquaintance of George D. 
Prentice, and though they had editorially crossed many a lance, they continued till 
death warm personal friends. When the Courier consolidated with the Journal, Mr. 
Faxon, who was then suffering with consumption, returned to Clarksville, when he 



wrote for the Tobaiio Leaf for a few months, until his health utterly failed him. He 
died January 2Sth, 1870. and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Mr. Faxon was 
first married, June 4th, 1S50, to Sarah C. Hickman, of Roscoe, Todd county, Ky. 
She died October 20th, 1S51, leaving one son, Wm. H. Faxon, now book-keeper for 
Wheeler, Mills & Co., tobacco salesmen, Hopkinsville, K\-. His second wife, who 
was sister to his first wife, was Ellen D. Hickman. By this marriage he had five 
children, four of whom, with the mother, survive him, and are now residents of Chris- 
tian county, Ky. A friend has truthfully said, that "Charlie Faxon was a man of 
superior talent, a warm friend and a generous neighbor. He had a contempt for the 
aristocracy of wealth, but admired talent even in the humblest of earth's creation. He 
lived almost entirely for others, was a hero in every political contest in which he en- 
tered, and died leaving no living man his enemy." 

Dr. William I. Holmes. 

Dr. William I. Holmes was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 21st, 
1810, of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was Andrew Holmes, born in Pennsylvania 
1770. His grandfather was born in Ireland in 1730. immigrated to .\merica in 1756, 
and was the commander of a company of rangers 
during the Revolutionary war. His mother was Ann 
Irvin, born in Pennsylvania in 1771, and died in 1850. 
Dr. Holmes received a fine education in his youth. He 
graduated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 
at the age of nineteen years, and at once commenced 
reading medicine in the office of Dr. J. K. Finley, a 
distinguished physician, and in 1834 graduated with 
high honors from the University of Pennsylvania. But 
the young doctor was not to be flattered by the praise 
of liis friends into resting on the laurels won by long 
and diligent application. There was no rest for the 
ambitious, energetic spirit like his. Having heard of 
th( man) attractions tor \oung men of nerve in the then far West, he determined to 
try his fortune, and immediately after graduating came to Montgomery county, locat- 
ing on the South side of Cumberland River, where there was plenty of timber, iron 
ore, cheap land, and ])ractice for a young doctor. Dr. Holmes was never in a hurry 
to get rich, but being a practical man in all things, prudent and cautious, he was con- 
tent to go slow but sure. Being a young man of fine education, handsome address, 
entertaining on all subjects, prompt in all his engagements, and accommodating, he 
soon established himself in the confidence of the people, taking a leading position in 
the community. He practiced medicine thirty-five years in that community, achieving 
a wide reputation and eminence in the ]irofession. Moreover he was respected, by the 
rich and poor alike, for his integrity of character, fair open dealings, honest purpose, 
sound judgment and good advice on all public affairs. The iron works were generally 




273 
in oi)eration during the time, and afforded a lucrative practice to start with, and his 
earnings were promptly invested in lands, town property, bank stocks and bonds, and 
has all through life been an economical, prudent man, temperate in all things. For 
some years his practice extended from Clarksville to Charlotte in Dickson county, 
keeping him constantly in the saddle. Dr. Holmes was married October 22nd, 1846, 
to Miss Agnes A. Allen, daughter of Hon. Nathaniel H. Allen, a prominent lawyer, 
who represented this district in the State Senate. Mrs. Holmes was born December 
26th, 1824, and died October 13th, 1865, and was a most estimable Christian lady and 
devoted wife. To this union was born six children, five of whom are living: John A., 
born 1847; Mrs. Mary Fuqua, born 1853; Mrs. Lucy Cunningham, born 1857; Mrs. 
Sarah H. Duncan, born 1863, and Alfred, born 1865. Dr. Holmes moved to Clarks- 
ville in 1869, and has since lived a retired life. He has been a devout Presbyterian 
since 1 83 1, devoted to his church and Christianity, and is greatly esteemed among his 
neighbors and acquaintances. 

More About the Eari.v Settlers. 

The writer is indebted to Mrs. Bowling, wife of the late Richard P. Bowling, a 
lady of remarkable clear memory, who is related to the old families, for interesting 
reminiscences of the first settlers, and events that occurred over one hundred years 
ago, which were given to her by Mrs. John H. Poston, who was Nancy' Nelson'^ and 
often heard the facts related by her parents. 

George Bell and William Montgomery were the first actual settlers in Clarksville. 
They came here with their families, in 1784, from Virginia. George Bell built the first 
house that was ever erected in the junction of Cumberland and Red Rivers. The 
houses were ^of course ^og cabins, and stood on the hill side of the big spring known as 
Poston's spring. William Montgomery and wife, Margaret, were the parents of John 
Montgomery, a distinguished citizen, for whom the county of Montgomery was after- 
wards named. George Bell had a son named Hugh, who afterwards became a noted 
citizen of the county, and a daughter named Elizabeth. One day Hugh Bell was rid- 
ing over the hill north of where the University now stands, when an Indian in ambush 
leveled his bow and sent a quivering arrow unerringly at the pale face. Hugh Bell 
saw the Indian in time to dodge his arrow by throwing himself over on the opposite 
side of his horse. This motion brought his right leg to the horse's back, and the arrow 
struck, passing through the calf of his leg. The Indian fled, and Bell, n6t knowing 
how many were in the woods, also made good speed for home, and prepared the family 
for an attack which did not then come. Some time after that a party of Indians, pro- 
fessing to be friendly, made their appearance at Bell's house and asked to stay all night. 
It would not do to refuse; they were taken in and treated very kindly. The Indians 
had a sick baby that caused them much concern. It cried a great deal, and Mrs. Bell 
thinking it was hungry, got a cup of good cool milk from the spring and sent it to the 
baby by her daughter Margaret. The child drank heartily of the milk and was quieted. 
Next morning the Indians, on taking leave of the family, confe.ssed that they came 



-74 
tlu'iv for the purpose of killiiij; the wliole f;imily of pale faces, hut they had been so 
kiml to nive the baby milk and sue its Hte. the purpose had been aliandoned and they 
would leave in peace and triendship. A big Indian then iwinting to Hugh Hell said 
he was very sorry he did no; kill the big pale face that day the arrow struck his leg. 
but now " Indian mighty glad arrow missed, because pale fiices kind, give the papoose 
milk. ' ,ind the band left imploring the blessing of the C.reat Spirit upon them. Hugh 
Hell alter that settled on the Nashville and Hopkinsville road about two miles north of 
Port Royal, and built a large story and a half double log house. The daughter. Eli/a- 
belh. married a Mr. Nelson, from Virginia. Mr. Nelson settled the home known as 
the old Warfield place near Hunbar's Cave. Their first horn was a daughter, named 
Nancy for her grandmother, Nancy Bell. She was said to be very beautiful and 
sprightly, and was married to John H. Poston on the 13th of March, 1808. at the age 
of fifteen years, Mr. Poston being twenty-two. Mr. NeLson was in well to do circum- 
stances, and gave a brilliant entertainment on the occasion. He doubtless built the 
liresent Warfield homestead. Nelson aUerwartl sold the phu e to Judge Huling, who 
came here from Pennsylvania, andWui. K^. Hrhighurst marned Judge Huling's sister 
Julia at this place. In after years FnAik Po.ston, ybuiigest 'soii'bf the first marriage, 
anil Kllen Hringhurst, daughter of the last marriage, were iniited in wedlock in the 
same room in which the parents on both sides were united. The first settlers calleil 
the town •■Cumberland." which name was afterward changed in honor of a prominent 
citi/en nanunl Clark. 

The first graves opened in the junction of Red and Cumberland rivers by the white 
settlers were for Mrs. Nancy Hell, wife of George Bell, and Mrs. Margaret Montgom- 
ery, wife of William Montgomery. This was the beginning of the old grave yard now- 
known as City Cemetery. William Bell, the oldest son, settled in Nashville and became 
a distinguished citizen, representing the county in the Legislature. An educational 
enterjirise was named in honor of him, which has since been changed to the Normal 
S<-h.>ol. 

John Hamill Poston was evidently the first merchant of Clarksville. and he set an 
example of high commercial integrity which has since prevailed to the credit of Clarks- 
ville, as well as to his success and honor. Mr. Poston came to Clarksville, or rather 
was sent with a stock of goods by a \\calih\- merchant of \'irginia named \\'m. King. 
about 1806 or 1807. He was born in Charles county, Maryland, April 15th, 1786. 
His father was William Poston. whose wife was Sarah Hamill, of Scotch descent. His 
grandfather was John Poston. who emigrated from London, England, and settled in 
Charles county. NLir^land. John H. Poston was a man ot clear head and fine intel 
lect, and was an honored and ])rosperous citi/.en. He and Rev. Henry Beaumont 
were personal friends, and worked together like brothers in all public afiairs. Mr. 
Poston was for years President of the Hoard of Trustees for the old Male .Academy. 
He was for several terms President of Branch Bank of Tennessee. He represented 
this county in the Legislature one or more terms. He was, with Mr. Beaumont, fore- 
most in all things, and greatly honored for his worth as a man and citizen. He kejjt 



275 
a li()si>ital)lc h(jinL% and his house was ever an asylum for the worthy in distress, and 
more than one. orphan has been indebted to his generosity for a home and efiiication. 
His wife was a very superior woman, possessing the same nobility of soul and strength 
of character that distinguished her husband. Mr. Poston followed merchandizing dur- 
ing life, and was very kiccessful, accumulating large property. He owned at one time 
a large portion of Clirksville and considerable real estate in Mississippi. He built 
successively three houses on the same spot, known as Poston's Spring or the ice factory, 
all but the last, the large brick, being destroyed by fire. He owned all of the land on 
Red River between the two bridges and up to Main street, and all back to the bottom 
was a dense forest. Mr. Poston died at the old brick homestead, October 2nd, 1848, 
distinguished and honored for his usefulness. To the marriage of John H'. Poston and 
Nancy L. Nelson, was born thirteen children, of whom only the two youngest survive, 
Hugh Hamill Poston, of Nashville, and Benjamin Franklin Poston, of this city. Two 
sons, Richard and William Poston, settled in Memphis and distinguished themselves 
as lawyers ; Richard was said to be a brilliant orator. Mr. John F. Couts married a 
daughter, his first wife, who was a very lovely woman. The writer understands that 
the other children died quite young. The family were all Methodist excc'iJt the two 
youngest, who joined the Episcopal Church. 

Clarksville had an organization about 1840 called the "Trades Union," which 
met at the old Masonic Hall. Nothing can be learned of its object or its officers. 
Tne following gentlemen composed the Building Committee for what was then the new 
Court House, between Franklin and Strawberry streets, which was burnt in the great 
fire of .April 1,3th, 1878: M. A. Martin, Samuel McFall, Joseph Chilton, Joseph 
Johnson, F.li I.ockcrt, Henry F. Beaumont, C C. Williams, Cieorge C. Boyd, ('•. A. 
Davie. They advertised to let out the contract to the lowest bidder on Ajjril 24th, 
1 84 1. 

(ialbrailh, Oomwell & Co. were one of the most enterjjrising business firms in 
Clarksville forty-five years ago. They built a splendid steamboat named the /ames 
M'ood, in honor of a prominent merchant of Nashville. The boat was built by Clarks- 
ville capitalists exclusively, and was regarded as quite an acquisition to the trade. It 
was completed in December, 1841, and mastered by Captain James Lee. The boat 
measured 137 feet keel, 156 feet on deck, 23 feet beam, 5 feet hold, 22 inches draft, 
and carried 240 to 250 tons. It had a handsome cabin with twenty-eight berths, ele- 
gantly fitted up. Mr. Galbraith, the head of the firm, was a thoroughgoing business 
man and greatly esteemed citizen. He left here and engaged in business in New 
fJrleans and died there; his widow, a most estimable lady, still survives, and resides in 
this city with Mrs. Joshua Cobb. Mrs. Galbraith is a daughter of that good man, John 
.McKeage, the old tobacconist, who ranked aljing with Henry Beaumont, John H. 
Poston, Isaac Dennison, Tate Bryarly, Wm. Broaddus, T. W. Frazer, Dr. Drane and 
others. Galbraith, Cromwell & Co., and Captain Joseph Irwin, owner of the Clarks- 
ville, bought the Ellen Kirkman the same year, and Captain Irwin took charge of her, 
turning the Clarksville over to his brother James. 



276 

The following is an advertisement taken from the Chroxici.f. of Ai)ril 25th, 1843, 
which is not without a j)oint, in as much as it exibits that Christian spirit, union of 
sentiment, unselfish devotion and general regard for every one's welfare, which has 
always made Clarksville people strong and their religion beautiful. The Baptist people 
were building a church; the little brick that used to stand on the southeast corner of 
the Court House square. They were unable to finish it. There were not more than a 
dozen Baptists in town, and they were very poor, and this was the fourth church. The 
Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians already had comfortable houses of worship 
for the times, and the Baptists wanted one, and instead of trying to smother out this 
weak effort, as religious bigotry would in many places, here comes men of all the de- 
nominations, and some of no religion, putting their shoulders together and their hands 
in their pockets to help the weaker sect: "The ladies of Clarksville will hold a fair on 
the 17th and i8th of May. The feir will be opened on the evening of the 17th, in the 
New Court House, and on the evening of the i8th there will be a Coronation of a 
Queen of May, and a Supper, got up in the best style. A large attendance from the 
surrounding country is expected. The ])roceeds arising from the fair are to be applied 
to the completion of the Baptist Church in this place. The Clarksville Social Band 
have kindly agreed to lend their valuable assistance upon the occasion, .\dmission to 
tair, 25 cents; admission to coronation and supper, $1.00; children, half price. G. W. 
Hiter, R. Poston, Jr., D. N. Kennedy, W. C. McClure, J. H. Hiter, E. P. McGinty, 
J. Bailey, W. B. Johnson, R. Wilkins, \V. P. Hume, Ed. H. Munford, J. T. Wynne, 
Committee of Arrangements." 

Dr. George McDaniel was in the forties a prominent physician and citizen of this 
city. Himself and family were passionately fond of flowers. On the night of June 
30th, 1842, a large party of young people and friends gathered at Masonic Hall, just 
opposite his house, to witness the opening process of a night blooming cerus. It com- 
menced opening about sundown, putting out three beautiful flowers, which were fully 
expanded by eleven o'clock, and all were completely dead before the morning sun 



rise. 



Justice E. Moore was perhaps the first man in Clarksville with a camera-obscura, 
who inade his appearance here in December, 1841, taking daguerreotypes. The trou- 
ble was getting people to set before the thing, fearing it would extract all of their 
beauty. Mr. Moore must have done some business, however, as several of the illus- 
trations of early citizens shown in this book were engraved from pictures no doubt made 
by him. 

James A. Grant, in his reminiscences, says: "Jesse Ely and Joshua Brown were 
here the first time we ever saw the town, and had been, long before, engaged in manu- 
facturing hats, and theirs was the first exclusive hat store here. They were men of 
untiring energy, industry and unflinching integrity. They soon accumulated a com- 
petency and reared large families, the members of each, without blot, sustaining the 
good name bequeathed them. Mr. Ely bought the lot upon which R. H. Pickering 
now lives, and built one of the first comfortable homes upon what was then denomi- 



277 
natcd the Charlotte road, now Greenwood Avenue — in the meantime renting his pro- 
[lerty down in town, bringing him a handsome income. He died not many years after, 
leaving his wife and five daughters and three sons, who, under the careful training of 
the mother, are all honorable, influential members of society. The mother died a few 
years ago; all the children, save one, still reside here. Mr. Brown died a few years 
ago, and not a member of his family remains here. Mr. Ely and Mr. Brown were 
both zealous members of the Baptist Church, and that denomination, in this city, owes 
much of its prosperity to the unceasing zeal and support of the Ely family, who have 
stood by it 'through evil as well as good report.'" 

In another sketch Mr. Grant says: "There once lived in this community a young 
man named Absalom Chilton, familiarly called 'Boas.' He was an e.xceedingly good 
humored, kind man, and inherited large bone, strength and pluck, .\fter becoming a 
well matured man he was quick to resent a wrong, but never sought a difficulty. He, 
however, on account of his strength and courage, caused his friends to say that Boas 
could whip any man in the county. At that time a large, well developed man named 
Elliott, lived in one of the surrounding counties, who claimed he could whip any man 
who could be pitted against him. Hearing of our young hero, he came to town and 
hunted him up. After securing an introduction, he invited Boas and his friends to 
the ' Old Hickory ' to take something to drink. This being through he turned pleas- 
antly to Mr. Chilton and remarked, ' I have heard that you could whip any man in the 
country; I deny it, and have come over to whip you.' Mr. C. told him he had noth- 
ing against him, and did not follow fighting just for the fun of it. Mr. E. insisted on 
a pitched battle — a regular fist-and-skull affair — whereupon Mr. C. told him if he was 
'spilin' for a fight' he would accommodate him. They stepped out on Strawberry 
alley and proceeded to business. After exchanging several terrible blows with the fist 
Mr. C. gave his antagonist a lick which felled him. The force of the blow also crushed 
Mr. C.'s right knuckles so badly that after his opponent arose and made at him he had 
to defend himself altogether with his left hand. Here friends interposed and stopped 
the battle." 

"Neither of the combatants claimed a victory, but Mr. Chilton's friends pro- 
nounced him victor. Mr. E. left town and we have never heard of him since. Young 
Chilton bought the farm where Mr. Gaisser's family now live, built a log cabin, went 
to farming and kept bachelor's hall. One hot day in July he was ploughing on the 
edge of the bluff which overhangs the river at that point, when his plow struck an old 
stump, which caused a large rattlesnake, about five feet in length, to come out. He 
])rocured a club and killed it, but at that moment another, the mate, made his appear- 
ance, and they then kept on coming out of their den, of all sizes and length down to 
five or six inches, until he killed fifty-six snake_s. He came to the Chronicle office 
next day to make a report, and laughingly said, ' It was not a good day for snakes, 
either.' A notice of this snake killing can be found in an old Chronicle of that date. 
Mr. C, if living, is now a resident of California, to which State he removed many 
years ago." 



In 1840 and 1841 Clarksville had a splendid military comi)any called the Inde- 
pendent Guards, composed of her best young men and handsomely uniformed. S. 
Albert Sawyer, the great tobacconist of Sawyer, Wallace & Co., New York, who was 
then a youth commencing his business career in Clarksville and greatly esteemed for 
his sturdy habits and solid character, was the handsome orderly of the company. The 
death of President Harrison, which occurred .\pril 4th, 1841, was a great shock to the 
country. Montgomery was a Whig county, and the people felt the bereavement 
acutely, coming as it did so soon after his victory and inaugural, before the heated 
fires of the campaign had fully died. Clarksville people observed the time appointed 
by President Tyler, May 14th, for an exhibition of respect and feelings of sorrow for 
the dead President, in which the Democrats laid aside all partisan spirit. The occasion 
did credit to the community. Captain Sawyer brought out his fine company, in handsome 
uniform, and by special invitation General W. B. Johnson commanded on the occasion 
and a great procession followed. Rev. Dr. A. A. Muller, assisted by Rev. Dr. I. H. 
Harris, Rev. H. F. Beaumont and Rev. Simpson Shepherd, officiated. 

Allen Johnson was among the prominent business men of early days, engaged in 
the dry goods business with George Smith, but in later years devoted himse'lf to the 
tobacco business and died a few years ago at a very old age, greatly esteemed and 
honored by all men. Dr. C. L. Wilcox came here from Russellville in 1842, though 
he was raised in this county. He gained a large practice, was elected mayor, and 
after that removed to St. Louis but returned after a few years and died here about 1878. 
J. Y. Hiter, a prominent citizen, came here in 1839 and died in 1846, at the age of 
sixty-three years. T. A. Tliomas learned the drug business with Dr. Rowley, and 
some years later, in 1847, engaged in the drug business on his own account. ]. M. 
Owen and C. E. Parish had drug stores at the same time. The Thomas brothers— T. 
A. and Dr. E. R. W. Thomas— kept the popular drug store of the town for many 
years, first at the corner of Strawberry street and the Public Square, where Lehman 
now has a saloon, and later in Elder's block next to the corner, and were succeeded 
by Thomas & Warfield— E. R. W. Thomas and George H. Warfield. This firm was 
succeeded by S. B. Stewart. Dr. Wilson J. Castner, dentist, came here about 1S46, 
and at once gained a wide reputation for skill in his profession. He maintained a most 
lucrative practice during his life, and was a man of considerable prominence in church 
and all public affairs, maintaining the highest confidence of the people. He died about 
1 866. His widow, and daughter, Mrs. Matt Gracey, still survive, occupying the old 
homestead, corner of Fourth and Franklin streets. In 1846 among the active business 
men were Settle & Carr, grocers; Ward & Mason, grocers; Wm. S. & R. W. McClure, 
grocers; John N. Hobbs, stoves and tinware; S. A. Sawyer, grocer: W. & J. e' 
Broaddus, dry goods; Beaumont, Payne & Co., grocers; H. L. Bailey, steamboat 
agent ; Dr. L. S. House, practicing physician ; T. D. Scott, Sewanee Hotel : Hart & 
Kennedy, dry goods; R. S. Moore, dry goods; J. S. Shaw, cabinet maker; G. W. & 
J. W. Leigh, dry goods; H. P. & J. F. Dorris, tin and sheet iron workers; Wither- 
spoon, Browder & Whittaker ; John Adams, dry goods ; P. Peacher & Co., hats and 



279 
shoes. In 1S48 was added W. F. Fall, dry goods and hardware; PhiHp Larnion, dry 
goods; and J. T). Watts, hotel and livery business. 

The Franklin House, now owned and kept for public accommodation by W. R. 
Bringhurst, of popular notoriety, was built about 1842 by Joseph Chilton. In those 
days of chivalry, big eaters and unstinted hospitality, a man couldn't run a hotel unless 
he owned a farm and negroes enough to run the farm and wait on the hotel, and withal 
was not able to keep it up long at the prices charged. Every tavern keeper had his 
own stables then. Mr. Chilton advertised to sell out November 24th, 1846, and 
offered to sell the servants belonging to the house ; also the farm of 200 acres near town 
" layed off to support the tavern." It is not known whether he found a purchaser then 
or not, but two years later the Franklin House was kept by T. V. Cannon, who charged 
twenty-five cents a meal and $1.50 per day for man and horse. The inference is that 
he left there a bursted Cannon. 

About 1840 London & Douglass, enterprising millers, came to lis county from 
Xew York and built the New York mills on West Fork. The wheat crop of that year 
was cut very short, and they imported 4,000 bushels of wheat from Illinois and hauled 
it out to the mill from the wharf by wagon, and back in flour for shipment. Donald- 
son & Brown, says John F. Shelton, opened the first regular livery stable in Clarksville, 
which stood back of E. B. Ely's confectionary house, between First and Second streets 
and Franklin and Commerce streets — probably Colonel Crusman's old stable. This 
was about 1841. Mr. Shelton then worked for Harland & Barker in the pork-packing 
business. This firm put 10,000 barrels of pork annually. It was a good business then 
and ought to be now if capital was enlisted. Mr. Shelton went to Nashville, learned 
the livery business and returned here in 1855, and in partnership with J. W. and M. 
F. Shelton, bought out W. B. Munford's large livery stable, which adjoined the Court 
House lot, extending through from Franklin to Strawberry streets. They paid Mr. 
Munford $8,000 for the stock and fixtures, and several months after sold to Owen 
Herring for $11,000, taking a negro man named William in part payment at $1,500. 
M. F. Shelton took William for a carriage driver, and the first trip to the farm on Yel- 
low Creek, William was drowned while riding one horse and leading the other into a 
deep hole for water. John F. Shelton then built a small stable on Strawberry street, 
which he conducted on his own account some time, and then went in business with 
S. A. Caldwell, corner Second and Franklin streets, which partnership continued suc- 
cessfully twelve or fifteen years, the firm of Caldwell & Shelton owning a large farm 
on Cumberland River, operating it in connection with the stable until about 1886, when 
the firm dissolved, Squire Caldwell taking the stable and Shelton the farm. Mr. Shel- 
ton then started the, street car line, organizing the company, of which he was elected 
President. As soon as the line was in successfu'J operation, which was from the start, 
Mr. Shelton erected the large building on Franklin street now occupied by Bowling 
Bros. & Cunningham as a feed store, coal office and ice depot, which the firm bought 
as soon as completed. Mr. Shelton then built the handsome new livery stable, which 
he now occupies, on Commerce street, between First and Second. 




EVERCREEN LODGE. 

Evergreen Lodge in situated on a 
northern siiberb of the city of Clarks- 
ville, and is about ten minutes' walk 
from the corner of Second and Franklin 
streets. The "Lodge" is the property 
of Captain James J. Crusman, on which 
is his residence — a fit abode for a mil- 
lionaire — nestling, as it does, among 
many lovely specimens of evergreens, 
from which it derives its euphonious 
appellation. The fitness of the location 
for a nurser\- and flower garden may 
he seen at a glance, from the fact that 
the magnolias of Florida and spruces 
of Norway flourish side by side, being 
in that happy medium of latitude where 
the rich and varied floral treasures of 
the South meet in gorgeous array their 
more sturdy sisterhood of the North. 



28l 

The flower gjrden and nursery 
comprises about fifteen aciei 
in cultivation. More than hilf 
is devoted to flowers. Cavni 
tions, roses, chrysanthemums, 
geraniuins and dahlias are here 
grown by the thousands; palms 
and ferns are also a specialtv 
lilies in endless variety, and 
good a general assortment I 
rare |)lants as is to be cat i 
logued by anv of the more e\ 
tensive florists of the North 
Large importations of bulbs aie 
received each Fall from H 
land. Strawberry and grape 
vines, evergreens, flowerni^ 
shrubs and fruit trees are i 
grown for sale and shipped at propei seasons t > 
their numerous patrons ^ 





in all the Southern and , 

Western States. Five 

large green-houses, and -— i 

a large area of glass in pits and frames is constantly in use 
in raising and propagating young plants for their respective 
seasons of shipment. What the Champs Elyses is to Paris, 
Central Park to New York, and Fairmount to Philadelphia, 
that Evergreen Lodge is to our city, and is as popular a resort 
for the cultured and intelligent of this community, as are 
those other great abiding places of the beautiful in their re- 
spective cities. A visit to the Lodge is at no season of the 
year without interest to all who ajipreciate the wondrous 
lieauty of the thousands of fair blossoms a benign Providence 
has scattered over this terrestrial sphere for our pleasure and 
edification. Since Mr. James Morton assumed charge of the 
Lodge, improvements have been the order of the day, and 
in the best of taste, an air of neatness and systematic arrano-e- 
ment pervading the en'tire establishment. New drive-ways 
have been made that greatly enhance the beauty of the place, 
and the shrubbery has all been planted anew. This enter- 
prise on the part of Captain Crusman is meeting its just 
reward, and the business is spreading to great proportions. 




282 

Samuel A. Caldwell. 
Samuel Abner Caldwell was born in Montgomery county, November loth, 1825. 
His parents were Samuel and Nancy Caldwell, of Irish descent. The father was horn 
in Virginia in 1776, and was a soldier in the war of 18 12. He came to Tennessee in 
1806 and died in 1840. The mother before marriage was Miss Nancy Howell, born 
in Robertson county, Tennessee, 1804. Her parents 
were from Virginia. She died in 1856. Mr. Samuel 
A. Caldwell was brought up on the farm, and like the 
tall timber of the Southside, grew straight and hand- 
some, but did not take much to farm life. He obtained 
his education in the country schools, and at the early 
age of sixteen commenced clerking in a store in Pal- 
myra, where he continued for several years, when he 
engaged in the lumber business, in which he was \ery 
successful until the commencement of the war, when 
he lost over $2,000 in lumber consumed for army pur- 
poses at Fort Donelson, and he was compelled to quit 
the business in 1862, when he engaged in farming till 
the close of the war. In 1867 he came to Clarksville and engaged in the livery busi- 
ness with Samuel Allen; Mr. Allen died in about one month after, and John W. Wright 
bought his interest. This partnership, Caldwell & Wright, lasted one year, when it 
was dissolved and the firm of Caldwell & Shelton established, which firm continued to 
do a prosperous business up to August loth, 1885, when they dissolved and divided 
property, Mr. Caldwell taking the stable, and is now conducting a large and prosperous 
livery, feed and sale business. In 1875 ^^ ^^s elected Justice of the Peace for this 
the Twelfth District, which office he still holds, and is regarded as one of the best 
Magistrates in the county ; clear headed and impartial in his decisions, observing com- 
mon sense law, and oftener settling disputes without trial than otherwise. Mr. R. H. 
Pickering, County Trustee, states that Squire Caldwell has paid to him as Trustee, in 
two years, $506 small offense fees for the State, and one-third that amount to Mr. R. D. 
Moseley for county purposes, more money than has been paid in by all of the Magis- 
trates of the county. Squire Caldwell is strictly honorable in his dealings, and not 
like the Rev. Sam Jones, who says he don't want to die within six months after a horse 
swap. Sam Caldwell is not quite so good a preacher as Sam Jones, but full of rich 
humor, abiding always in truth, and is one of the men who won't "tell a lie" in a 
horse trade, and will not fear to take a chance in a trade in the last moment after his 
baggage has been checked. Squire Caldwell is a prominent member of the Methodist 
Church, efficient in the choir and serving the cause in other ways. He is also a dis- 
tinguished Mason, a Knight Templar, and a member of the Knights of Honor. He 
is a man of benevolent nature, a true friend, kind neighbor, hospitable and generous 
to a fault, and deserves the wide popularity he has earned and the leading position he 
occupies in society. Samuel A. Caldwell was married April 28th, 1857, to Miss 




2 83 
Ani.uid.1 Manervia Nehlctt, daughter of Dr. Josiah Neblett, born June 22nd, 1831. 
They have raised a very interesting family of five children, all living at the homestead 
on (Greenwood Avenue: Richard D., Mary C, Lucy V., Hart M., and Cora L. Lucy 
is the accomplished wife of Mr. John A. Clements. 

John F. Cours. 

John Franklin Couts, furniture dealer and undertaker, has the oldest record con- 
nected with the present active business interests of Clarksville. John F. Couts was 
born in Robertson county, October 21st, 1818; was 
raised on a farm and received a common country school 
education. His father was William Couts, a native 
of Robertson county, and of German descent. His 
mother's maiden name was Miss Nancy Johnson, sister 
of Hon. Cave Johnson, General W. B. and Joseph N. 
Johnson, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere. 
Mr. Couts came to Clarksville in April, 1838, and 
engaged one year as copying clerk for Joseph Johnson, 
Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court, and then 
took a clerkship in the store of Mr. Isaac Dennison for 
a short while, when he engaged with Galbraith, Green- 
field & Co. several years until the firm was di.ssolved, and 
he then engaged with Williams & Co., S. S. and L. G. Williams and George Gray, con- 
tinuing with this house till September, 1843, "'lien he o|jened a grocery house on his 
own account, occupying the corner store in the old Poston block, southwest corner of 
the Public Sc|uare, now known as Couts old furniture building, just opposite 
the Tobacco E.xchange. Messrs. Beaumont, Payne & Co. occupied the middle 
store, or next door to Mr. Couts, and were also engaged in the grocery business, 
A. B. Harrison occupying the other corner as a clothing store. Mr. Couts still 
remembers Rev. Henry F. Beaumont with reverence and deepest admiration for his 
iif)ble nature, true manhood and neighborly kindness. Mr. Couts remembers during 
the time they were in the grocery business a great storm swept over the coffee growing 
region, almost totally destroying the crop, and causing a heavy advance in coffee. Mr. 
Beaumont was the first to receive the news, which he communicated to his partners. 
As soon as Mr. Beaumont had gone to his factory, Mr. Payne called on Couts, inquir- 
ing how much coffee he had. "Fifty sacks," answered Couts. "What will you take 
for it?" " Xine and one-half cents," replied Couts. " I will take it all," said Payne, 
" weigh it and |iut it out on the front." This was done, the coffee paid for, and soon 
stacked u\> in the middle house. The transactiop was soon known over town, and also 
the advance in coffee. The next day Mr. Beaumont called, and addressing Mr. Couts, 
said: "My partner, Mr. Payne, bought your coffee, and I understand that you had 
not heard of the advance when you sold, and I called to say you can have the coffee 
hark if y< u wish." Mr. Couts thanked him very much for his generous spirit, but did 



2S4 
not take the coffee hack, as he v.-as able to make another deal in New Orleans that 
served him as well. Mr. Couts continued in the grocery business only two years, when 
he sold out to .\lbert H. Tudkins, who came here at that time from Springfield. He 
tlien engaged in the furniture business with William Rutherford at the same stand, still 
known as Couts' old furniture store. Mr. Rutherford was a Scotchman, a superior 
business man and fine mechanic, but his jjrejudice to the slavery system, which then 
prevailed in the South, drove him away, and Mr. Couts bought his interest in the 
stock and continued the business at the old stand until 1872, when the desertion of that 
j)art of the town by the leading business interests, forced him to change also, and he 
moved to the splendid warerooms in the Hillman block, which he now occupies, a 
I ut of which accompanies this sketch. At the close of the war his son Poston Couts, 




on his return from the army, was admitted as partner, under the firm name of John F. 
Couts & Son, which relation continued up to Poston's death, November 9th, 1877. 
Poston Couts was a model young man, strictly upright and honest in all of his dealings, 
and pure in character. He possessed a bright and cultivated intellect, and his influ- 
ence was a great loss to society, and especially to the large number of young men and 
boys whom he drew around him. His life was a living example of pure religion to be 
seen and observed by all men in his every day walk. Mr. Couts is still an active 
business man, keeping abreast with the progress of the age, and all late improvements 
in furniture and undertaker's goods. His long established reputation for liberality and 
correct dealing has given him a trade which cannot be taken away, and which has 
never been lessened but increased by competition. 



He was 




2S5 
Hon. Charles W. Tyler. 
Charles W. Tyler was born in Civil District No. i of this county. He was the 
youngest son of John D. Tyler, a sketch of whose life we publish elsewhere, 
raised on his father's farm, and received his educa- 
tion almost entire!}' at his father's school. He 
started to school at five years of age, and b}- the 
time he was fifteen had completed the Latin and 
Crreek courses. When the civil war began he was 
at college at Lebanon Tennessee, but the news cA' 
the fall of Fort .Sumter broke up the institution 
and scattered the boys to the four winds. Return- 
ing home he enlisted in the Confederate arm)-, and 
was elected Brevet-Second-Lieutenant of a com- 
pany raised in his neighborhood, of which Cyrus 
.\. Sugg was Captain. Soon after it was organized 
this company was ordered to Fort Donelson, where 
it remained until the surrender of the fort, February 
i6th, 1862. Mr. Tyler made his escape from the 
fort, and raising a company of cavalry he went 
.South, where he remained until the close of the 
war, serving most of the time in Forrest's com- 
mand. \Vhen the war ended his father had died, leaving a large security debt hanging 
over the family, which it was impossible to pay. One of his first experiences when he 
came back from the army was to see the old homestead sold by the Sheriff for this 
security debt. He bought part of it himself on credit, and for a few years remained 
on the farm with his mother and sisters. In January, 187 i, he moved to Clarksville, 
where he has since resided. In the Summer of 1S72 he took out a license to practice 
law, forming a partnership with Edmund B. Lurton, a brother of Judge Horace H. 
I.urton. Within less than six months after he began to practice he was offered the 
position of Attorney-General of the Criminal Court by Governor John C. Brown, but 
declined it as his partner, Mr. Lurton, was a candidate, and he had been pressing his 
claims. A few months after this, in July, 1873, Judge T. W. King of the Criminal 
Court died, and Governor Brown offered Mr. Tyler the vacant judgship, which he 
accepted. The next year he ran before the people and was elected by a handsome 
majority to fill Judge King's unexpired term. In 1878 he was again a candidate for 
the full term of eight years, and was elected over two competitors, receiving a much 
larger vote than the two combined. Last year, 1886, his term having again expired, 
he was re-elected without opposition. He has ai^yays been an uncompromising Demo- 
crat, but both Republicans and Democrats have sustained him whenever he has been 
a candidate for position. Judge Tyler has demonstrated superior financial ability in 
the management of the county affairs. Coming into office he found the county heavily 
in debt and its credit below par. His management soon placed county warrants at 



par. and moreover has in the meanwhile reduced the heavy debt over half, besides 
building the Court House, which cost over $100,000, without increasing taxation; also 
in the compromise and settlement of the railroad lawsuits for the county's interest, and 
which saved the county $30,000. He has greatly improved the jail and jail system, 
reducing the cost of keeping prisoners three or four thousand dollars per year. 

The Court House. 

The Court House erected in 1843 was destroyed by fire on the night of April 13th, 
1878, after having been occupied for thirty-five years as a temple of justice. The lot 




MllN li;().MF.kV COUNIA (. . U Iv I lliH>l 



on H'hirh it stood was so small — and the inconvenience of having it on Franklin street, 
the prin(i|)al thoroughfare of the city — was so great, that the magistrates of the county 
determined to purchase a more convenient site for the erection of a new building. The 



lot of Mrs. Jennie E. Johnson, fronting on Second and Third streets, and also on 
Commerce street, was purchased for the purpose. This lot is about 220 by 240 feet, 
and upon it has been erected the beautiful building of which the above is an exact 
cut. The Montgomery county Court House is the handsomest in the State, and one 
ot the handsomest buildings in the South. The exterior is of pressed brick with stone 
trimmings, the foundation and basement story of the building being altogether of stone. 
The basement has eight large rooms, suitable for offices, jury rooms, visitors, etc. 
The first story proper has a large and convenient room each for the County Clerk, 
Trustee, Register, Circuit and Criminal Clerk, County Judge, and two rooms for the 
Chancery Clerk, besides a library room and the Chancery Court room. In the second 
story there is a large County Court room, furnished with desks, etc., for the forty-three 
magistrates of the county, with two committee rooms in the rear. Across the hall is a 
similar room for the Circuit and Criminal Court, with a jury room and two other rooms, 
one for witnesses, the other for attorneys and their clients in the rear. There is also 
a large grand jury room in rear of the hall on this floor. The whole house is heated 
throughout by steam, and is provided with water and gas, a tower clock and 3,000 
pound bell, and everything else to make it complete in every respect. The entire 
building is of the most substantial character, and is not only an ornament to the county, 
but will last for generations. McCormac & Sweeny, of Columbus, Indiana, were the 
contractors. S. W. Bunting, of Indianapolis, was the original architect, but C. G. 
Rosenplaenter, now of Memphis, was appointed architect soon after the plans were 
adopted, and supervised the work to its completion. The entire cost of the building, 
grounds, furniture, etc., was about $100,000. After the fire of April 13th, 1878, 
referred to, which destroyed a large part of the business portion of the city, the courts 
were held for some time in City or Market House Hall. Here it was that the question 
of building a Court House that would be creditable to the county was discussed and 
decided upon. The following gentlemen were elected a Board of Commissioners to 
carry out the wishes of the magistrates: C. W. Tyler, C. G. Smith, W. S. Mallory, 
G. H. Slaughter and Griffin Orgain. Judge Tyler was made Chairman of the Board, 
and Judge Smith, Secretary and Treasurer. Soon after Judge Smith resigned, and 
Squire Isaac P. Howard was elected to the vacanc)', and Squire Slaughter made Secre- 
tary and Treasurer. These gentlemen had the management until the building was 
completed. Three locations were offered for the site of the new Court House. The lot 
of Mrs. Jennie Johnson, the lot upon which the Howell School is now located, and Dr. 
Cobb's place on Madison street. The committee recommended the Howell School 
lot, but after considerable balloting by the court the Johnson place was selected. 
Squire Orgain voted-persistently to the last for the Cobb place, because he thought the 
building would answer for a Court House a nilmber of years until the growing town 
should surround it, and the county be out of debt and able to build a fine Court House 
in the beautiful grove, which would also answer as a city park. After the Johnson lot 
was selected, the old Baptist church, which stood on the southeast corner of the lot, 
was repaired and used for a Court House until the new building was completed. 



Charles D. Bah.ev. 

Charles Duncan Bailey, Clerk of the Circuit and Criminal Courts, was horn in 
Clarksville, April 6th, 1836. He is a son of Charles Bailey, who so long honored the 
same post of duty, leaving behind a memory to be cherished, a sketch of whose life 
will be found elsewhere in this book. Charles 1). Bailey was educated in Clarksville, 
a graduate of Stewart College, and entered his father's office as Deputy when quite 
young, and served up to the war between the States, when he entered the Confederate 
service, a member of the Forty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment ot Infantry. He was 
afterwards transferred to Johnson's Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, serving |)art of the time 
with Woodward, and was at the close with Ceneral ^\'. C. P. Breckenridge, and was 
one of the guards of the treasury train in the final retreat, and was one of the last to 
surrender at Washington, Georgia. In 1870 Mr. Bailey was elected Circuit Court 
Clerk, and has continued to hold the office by re-election since. 

He is well known as one of the best clerks in Tennessee ; perhaps no clerk in the 
State is now so thoroughly proficient in the duties of his office as he. His books are 
kept in the most systematic manner. He is neat and methodical, and his word is 
authority on all subjects connected with the duties of his position. His popularity is 
such that he rarely has a competitor, but is virtually at the end of each term of office 
usually without opposition. 

In 1879 he was elected Justice of the Peace for the Twelfth District, Clarksville 
being entitled to three Justices or representatives in the County Court, and also fills 
that place with distinction. Charles D. Bailey is like his father in many respects, ])os- 
sessing a clear head and pure heart, a man who evades not his duty, nor turns neither 
to the right or left in pursuing the way his sound judgment teaches him is right. He 
possesses a generous nature, is kind and accommodating to all, and enjo}s the fullest 
public confidence. Mr. Bailey has given much time to the study of the law, which is 
necessary to the intelligent discharge of his official duties, and is regarded as one of the 
best judges of law in the city, which knowledge adds greatly to his efficiency and use- 
fulness. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an upright Christian 
gentleman in the truest sense. 

Mr. Bailey was married May 21st, 1S79, to Miss Mary W. Dye, daughter of the 
late Joseph M. Dye. This was his way of taking vengeance against Mr. Dye for beat- 
ing his father one term for the Circuit Court Clerkship; taking his daughter away, a 
sweet revenge indeed. Mrs. Bailey is a cultured, intelligent lady, exceedingly modest 
and domestic. They have three bright little children, Henry L., Lucy C, and Wil- 
liam. They have a delightful home, a four acre lot on Main street, known as the 
Bringhurst place. 



Cave Johnson Family. 

Clarksvillk, Tknn., January loth, 1862. — To my sons, Hickman, Dickson and 
Polk: You will desire to know something of your family relations, and I have con- 
cluded to gratify you with all the information I possess as derived from the various 
members of the family with whotn I have met. Henry Johnson, my grandfather, re- 
moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina during the Revolutionary war, in which 
he served as a private, under what command or in which of the campaigns I know 
not. He settled near the forks of the Tadkee, a few miles from Salisbury, where he 
resided until the year 1796, when he removed to Robertson county and settled at a 
place now belonging to the family of Ben Porter, deceased, two and a half miles east 
of Springfield. He afterwards purchased on Karr's Creek, about three miles south of 
Springfield, where he died in 1815. His place was sold lately to Walter Bell. His 
wife was Rachel Holman. Of her family I knew nothing, except her brother Dave 
Holman, who lived many years in Robertson county near the Cross plains, where he 
died, leaving a large family of sons and daughters. She died about the time of her 
husband, leaving the following children: William, Thomas, Henry, Isaac, Joseph, 
Jacob v., Rebecca, Mary, and Rachel. Rachel died before she became of age and 
unmarried. All of them moved from North Carolina and settled in Robertson county, 
with their families, except Thomas, who had settled there in 1789. 

William Johnson, first son, married Diana Morgan; had a large number of child- 
ren, of whom I knew Thomas, Henry and Elizabeth, afterwards married to James 
Burton. Thomas removed with Morgan and settled in Carroll county, Tennessee, 
and afterwards to Arkansas, where his family still reside. Henry removed with his 
father and family to Green county, Alabama, where William and wife both died. Henry 
and most of the family afterwards removed to Mississippi, where they now reside. I 
know now but little of any of them. 

Thomas Johnson, second son, settled in Robertson county as a surveyor in 1789, 
went to Kentucky the next year, and was married to Mary Noel at Craig's Station, 
near Versailles, Ky., and brought her to Robertson county in 1790, then Davidson 
county. He was actively engaged as a captain of a company in suppressing Indian 
hostilities, and rendered much service to the frontier settlers, and wejit with his com- 
pany to Nick-a-Jack on the Tennessee River and was in the battle. He and his com- 
l)any were compelled to cro.ss the river by swimming on logs and surprised the Indians 
and killed a great many. After the treaty of peace with the Indians made at Green- 
ville in 1794, he engaged in surveying, was elected Colonel of his county, and was a 
member of the convention which framed the State Constitution in 1796. After the 
organization of the .State, he was elected the Clerk of the County Court of Robertson 
county, and in iSoo he was elected Brigadier-General in jjreference to Colonel John 
Shelby, of Montgomery, when it was apprehended that we should be involved in a war 
with France, if not in a civil war with the Federal party, then headed by John Adams 
and Alexander Hamilton. He was the active, decided and efficient friend of Jefferson, 
and warmly and zealously opposed to the doctrines, as well as the leaders, of the Fed 



2 go 
eral party. He continued Clerk of the Comity Court until the estabHshment of the 
Circuit Court system in 1809, when he was elected the Clerk of the Circuit Court of 
that county. He was the decided friend of Madison, and all his war measures, as well 
as the declaration of war against Great Britain. During its continuance, in the Sum- 
mer of 1813, he, with his brigade, was called into service for the purpose of suppress- 
ing Indian hostilities in Alabama. He marched with his brigade (I with him as Assistant 
Quartermaster, rank Lieutenant) in the Fall of 1813, and after some weeks of instruc- 
tion at Huntsville, Alabama, by General Carrol, marched into the Creek Nation, 
f-rossing the Tennessee River at Ditto's Landing, and joined General Jackson at Fort 
Williams, near the Ten Islands, on the Cossa River. He was soon after sent with 
some two thousand men to destroy some Indian villages some ten or twelve miles up 
the river, where it was supposed a large body of Indians had taken a stand. Upon 
reaching that place it was ascertained that the Indians hail lett the towns. They were 
all burned, and the troops returned without having seen an Indian. Soon after it was 
ascertained that the Indians had gathered in great numbers at Tehoopke (the horse 
shoe), where General Jackson marched immediately with the main body of his troops, 
leaving my father in command of Fort Williams, where I remained with him. After 
the destruction of that place, which had been fortified, it was ascertained that they had 
agtin rallied a: tlie junction ol' the Coosa and Tallapoosa, called the Hickory Ground, 
(i^-neral Jackson immediately marched to that place, where he met the Georgia troops. 
The principal Indian chiefs came in, surrendered and made peace towards the last of 
March, 1814. He with his brigade returned to Tennessee by the way of the Cahawba, 
where it was supposed some portion of the Indians were disposed not to acquiesce in 
the treaty. The treaty, however, proved satisfactory, and they returned to Tennessee 
in .\pril, whilst General Jackson and his forces retraced their steps to Fort Williams. 
'I'he war ended, my father continued the performance of the duties of the Circuit Court 
Clerk the balance of his life. In 1816 he lost his wife, and continued to reside at his 
farm, three miles east of Springfield, until after his daughter was married and his sons 
left him, persuing their occupations, and the youngest was attending college, when he 
thought it ])rudent to marry again, and in 1S23 married Mrs. Roberts, the widow of 
General Roberts, and the sister of the distinguished agriculturist, Mark Cockerel. He 
(lied at his residence in 1826, the farm now owned by Mrs. Morris, it is believed, 
without an enemy, beloved and esteemed by all his neighbors. He was in truth the 
counsellor, attorney and arbitrator tor tlie citizens of his county, and but few men e\er 
did more to keep down neighborhood controversies and lawsuits. He was universally 
regarded as an upright and honest man, and well informed in all the business as well 
as political questions of the day, and was at all times ready, without fee or reward, to 
transact the business and settle controversies among his neighbors. So highly was he 
esteemed, that when nominated by his friends for Governor, in 18 19 I think, he re- 
ceived almost the unanimous vote of his county, but was defeated by the East Tennes- 
seans running one candidate, whilst West Tennessee ran three. He came to Tennessee 
in 1789, was a member of the convention in 1796, and the friend and associate of the 



291 

leading men of the day, the Seviers, \Vhites, WiUiams and Rhea of that day, and of 
the Robertsons, Weakleys, Shelbys and McNairys, and of General Jackson from the 
time of his arrival in Tennessee, was his ardent friend and supporter, and enjoyed his 
( onfidence and friendship until the close of his life. 

Henry Johnson, the third son, came to Tennessee in January, 1793, and acted as 
deijuty surveyor for his brother Thomas, and shortly after married Polly Kerr (or Carr) 
who was at the time the widow Harden, with one son, Jonathan Harden, now residing 
ill Arkansas, and they had many sons and daughters, to-wit : William, residence in 
Arkansas; Thomas, residence in Robertson county, Tennessee; John, residence in 
Robertson county, Tennessee; Dr. Harrison, married and died in Alabama, his widow 
and children now in Robertson county; Peggy, married John Long and died in Robert- 
son county; Polly, married James Gouts and now in Arkansas; Nancy, married Crisel 
and died in Robertson county. His prudence and industry secured him a compe- 
tL-ncy, and made him very independent. He was an upright, honest man, and enjoyed 
much of the respect and confidence of his neighbors, and died in Robertson county a 
few years since. His wife died some years before. 

Isaac lohnson, the fourth son, came with his father to Tennessee in 1796. .\fter 
residing some years here, teaching school, he returned to North Garolina and married 
.\melia Holman, a relative of his mothers, remained a few years in Robertson and 
removed to Overton county, where he died some eight or ten years since, leaving a 
large family of sons and daughters, most of whom now reside in the neighborhood of 
Livingston. I have never met but one of his family, Henry, who was run for the 
Legislature a few years ago. 

Joseph Johnson, the fifth son, moved with his father to Robertson in 1796, re- 
mained a few years there and removed to South Carolina, where he married Elizabeth 
Guthbert, I think, and remained there some years, and returned and settled in Robert- 
son county, where he and wife died a few years ago, leaving the following children : 
.Mary, married Smith and died in Robertson county; Ann, married Smith, he died and 
she now lives in Robertson county; Sampson, married widow Moore, daughter of 
of Archer Gouts, and lives in Logan county, Kentucky. 

Jacob V. Johnson, the sixth son, came to Tennessee with his father in 1796. My 
most loved companion and associate in my boyhood, although six or seven years my 
senior. He studied medicine whilst I reid law, and settled on Duck River in Humph- 
reys county, where he was very successful in his profession, and married Sally Jarman, 
a daughter of General Robert Jarman. He continued there for some years and removed 
to Alabama, and now lives near Allsbough, a short distance from Tuscumbia. He 
was very successful in his profession as well as in cotton planting, and is said to be 
very rich. He and his wife have had no children. He has been deservedly popular 
as a physician wherever he resided. A man of great prudence and good common 
sense, with more learning than is common among physicians, educated as he was mainly 
by his own means, and without regular instruction. He is an honest and just man in 
all his dealings and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. 



292 

Rebecca Johnson, oldest daughter, married Samj)son Mathews and came to Ten- 
nessee about the time of her father, and settled on the Sulphur Fork, about ten miles 
east of Springfield, and afterwards removed and settled about five miles west of Spring 
field, where they both died, leaving Thomas B. Mathews, who now resides on his 
place ; Richard Mathews, who died leaving children. There are probably other child- 
ren, and if so I do not recollect them. Thomas has a large family, and Richard left 
some children, of whom 1 only know my namesake. Cave. Most of the family reside 
in Robertson county. 

Elizabeth Johnson, the second daughter, married John Crocket, who resided some 
years in Robertson county, and removed to Duck River on Harmon Creek in Humph- 
reys county, where they both died leaving a number of children, some of whom still 
reside there, and others have removed to the district near Troy, and one of them, John 
I think, was Sheriff of the county. 

Polly Johnson, the third daughter, married Jacob Frey. and lived in Robertson 
county until his death, and the widow still lives there. Thev had many sons and 
daughters, mostly unknown to me. One of the daughters married Colonel LeRoy 
Covington, and another married a Mr. Cole, and I think she is a widow. Some of 
the sons, Adam or Henry, live in the edge of Kentucky not far from Cross Plains, in 
the neighborhood where Mrs. frey settled. 

Rachel Johnson, the fourth daughter, died in Robertson county after she was 
grown up, and never married. 

Your great-grandfather, Henry Johnson, had a brother, Isaac Johnson, who re- 
moved to Tennessee about the time he did, and .settled about four miles south of Nash- 
ville, known yet as "Johnson's Station," now belonging to one of the Bosleys, upon 
which he resided until the acquisition of Louisiana (1803) by Jefferson, when he re- 
moved to Woodville, Mississippi, a short distance below Natchez, where he died leav- 
ing the following children: Joseph, first son, died wealthy, without children. Henry, 
second son, who was Deputy Sheriff in Davidson county in 1800, and removed to 
Louisiana and was elected Governor many years in succession; was afterwards elected 
to the United States Senate and served many years; whilst in the Senate he married 
Miss Key, of Maryland, a sister of Frank Key, author of the "Star Spangled Banner ;"' 
1 knew him well whilst in the Senate. Isaac Johnson, third son, somewhat my senior, 
who was in college with me in Nashville, and died shortly after his return to Mississippi 
without having married. William Johnson, fourth son, who resided with his brother 
Joseph and practiced law, and inherited most of the property of his brother Joseph, 
married and is now living with many children ; 1 met with him but once, and know but 
little of him or his family. 

Your grandfather, Thomas Johnson, married Mary Noel, the daughter of Mary 
Noel, whose husband was killed in \'irginia during the Revolutionary war, and was 
the sister of Colonel Cave, who commanded a regiment of militia in Virginia at the 
battle of Yorktown. She removed with her kinsman, the Rev. Richard Cave, to Ken- 
tucky, in 1789, with her two daughters, Mary Noel and Rosanna Noel, and were sta- 



tioned in Craig Station, where Mary Noel was married to your grandfather in 1790, 
and <anie with him immediately to Tennessee, passing through Kentucky by Bowling 
(ireen, then only a log-house station in the wilderness. I have often heard her recount 
the perils of that trip, accompanied by only five or six persons, then removing to Ten- 
nessee. They were taking their dinner at the Sulphur Springs when they discovered a 
large body of Indians attempting to head them on their route to the station at Bowling 
(ireen. .All that part of Kentucky was then an open prairie. They were pursued 
vigorously and rapidly and often in sight until they reached the station, which they did 
before night, without any mischief to either of the party. She was a lady of great 
energy and indomitable courage, and managed her horse with as much skill as any 
horseman in the company, and practiced horsemanship to the close of her life. I re- 
member well in the absence of my father with a company of scouts, an alarm was given 
of Indians supposed to be in the immediate neighborhood, when she resolutely pre- 
pared for defense without a man or a gun on the place by bringing her servants, some 
ten or twelve, into their log cobin, barricading the door and putting a large kettle on 
the fire, and kept the water boiling for the purpose of dashing upon the Indians should 
they approach the house. No one closed an eye that night. The next morning she 
was relieved by information that after committing some depredations a few miles off, 
they had retired from apprehension that the scouts were near. A few days after, when 
jjeace had been made with the Indians and the settlers had abandoned the'r posts, Mary 
Noel and her daughter Rosanna removed from' Kentucky and settled at my fathers, 
and Rosanna married William Haggard and lived many years in the same neighbor- 
hood. 

I do not know the relationship between Mary Noel and the Rev. Richard Cave, 
probably brother and sister, and Mary and her daughters were active members of his 
church. He was a prominent, leading and influential member of the Baptist Church. 
It is [jrobable that the Johnsons of Kentucky were connected with the family of Rev. 
Richard Cave, though Colonel Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky and myself tried to 
trace the connection, but were not able to do so satisfactorily. Richard M. Johnson 
was given the name of Richard after Richard Cave, whilst my mother gave me the 
name of Cave after her much loved and venerated pastor, and Colonel Cave Johnson, 
of Burlington, Kentucky, the uncle of Richard M., was named after the same man. 
Colonel R. M. Johnson and myself came to the conclusion that we were related on 
both the paternal and maternal branches and both connected with the Bledsoes, Hyatts 
and Sraitheys through the maternal branches of both of our families. Wm. Haggard 
and wife Rosanna, after a few years residence in Robertson, removed to the county of 
Stewart and settled on a farm opposite Dover. They afterwards moved into the town 
and lived there the balance of their lives, and several years after I commenced the 
practice of the law in 1816. They left three sons, James, Noel and William H. James 
Haggard married Amelia Holman, daughter of Daniel Holman, of Robertson, and had 
one son, Holman Haggard, when his mother died. James Haggard married a second 
time, removed from Stewart, and I have not heard of him or his family since, except 



294 
Holman, who now lives somewhere in Kentucky. After having married a Miss Mc- 
intosh, some ten or fifteen years his senior, is said to be of no account to himself or 
anybody else. Noel Haggard died under age and unmarried. William H. Haggard 
married very young and removed to the Western district, and has a large family of 
children, I learn, but I have known but very little of him since. 

Having thus given you an outline of our family and connections, as far as known 
to me, I proceed to your more immediate relatives. Your grandfather, Thomas John- 
son, and grandmother, Mary Noel, were married in 1790, at Craig's Station, in Ken- 
tucky, and removed to Robertson county, Tennessee, where their first son was born, 
named Cave, in 1791, and died a few months after. Your father, Cave Johnson, the 
second son, was born the nth day of January, 1793. Henry Minor Johnson, the 
third son, w-as born in 1795. Taylor Noel Johnson, the fourth son, was born in 1797. 
Nancy Johnson, the first daughter, was born in 1799. Willie Blount Johnson, the fifth 
son, was born in 1800. Joseph Noel Johnson, the sixth son, was born in September, 
1S03. Joseph N. Johnson married Margaret McClure. left three children, now living 
in Clarksville, and well known to you all. 

Nancy married William Couts in 1807, lived and died near Springfield, leaving a 
large family of children; Sons, John F., Cave, Willie, Thomas and Joseph; daughters, 
Mary Judkins, Martha Couts and Julia Reynolds, all of whom are known to you. 

Willie B. Johnson married Catherine Dortch, the sister of your mother, and died 
leaving a widow and two sons, Robert and Baker, and two daughters. Martha and 
Nannie, all of whom now live in Clarksville. 

Taylor N. Johnson died before he was twenty-one vears old from intemperance. 
He had fine talents and promised to be the leading member of the family. During the 
absence of your grandfather and myself in the army he became very intemperate, and 
no effort that either of us could make, and we made many in every way we could think 
of, could win him from the debasing practice, the vilest of all habits, alike the enemy 
of every virtue, of morality, decency and good sense. 

Henry M. Johnson studied medicine, married Sallie tireen, the sister of Colonel 
Lewis Green, practiced his profession with moderate success in Robertson county, and 
then moved to Mississippi, and then back to Somerville in the Western district of Ten- 
nessee, where he gathereti a very handsome ])ropert\', ample to make him indeijendent, 
and died leaving a widow and three sons, Thomas, Cave and Zachariah, and two 
daughters, Mar\- and Sarah. Their mother acted badly, married a scamp, who robbed 
the children of most of their jiroperty, and she died !ea\-ing the children in great dis- 
tress, who, I understand, have gone to Texas, and 1 think Thimias, Zachariah and 
Sarah are dead. 1 have received one letter t'rom Cave in Texas, but I now forget the 
place. 

One of the greatest evils resulting to my family from my constant employment in 
public, and which has always been a source of deep regret to me, was my inability to 
go to the assistance of his family in ])roper time to .save them and their property. I 
had, however, confidence in the prudent management of his wife, who had the charac- 



295 
ter of lieintr a very discreet, prudent woman, and was myself completely absorbed in 
what 1 supposed to be the true interests of the country, and postponed any effort until 
too late to save them. Your father, 

CAVE JOHNSON, 

was born three miles east of Springfield, on the nth day of January, 1793. He was 
sent to the academy about two miles east of Nashville, where Andrew Ewing now 
resides, then under the control of George Martin. In 1807 he was sent to Mount 
Pleasant Academy, on Station Camp Creek in Sumner county, then under the control 
of John Hall, where he remained a year, and was then sent to Cumberland College, 
now the University at Nashville, where he continued until the troops of the State were 
called to march to Mississippi in 181 1. He with his college mates formed a volunteer 
company, of which he was elected Captain, and tendered their services to General 
Jackson to accompany him to Mississippi. The General declined their services, alledg- 
ing that we had men enough to fight the battles of the country, and that our interest, 
as well as that of the country, would be most promoted by our continuance at our col- 
legiate studies. The course of General Jackson caused deep mortification to the 
students, and produced severe denunciations among many of them. They of necessity 
acquiesced and continued their studies. 

In the Summer of 1S12, he commenced the study of the law with Wm. W. Cooke, 
then one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, a profound lawyer and a most estimable 
gentleman, and continued with him in Nashville until the Fall of 1813, when his father's 
brigade was called upon to join (leneral Jackson in the Creek Nation. He accom- 
panied his father in the character of Deputy Brigade Quartermaster during the cam- 
paigns of 1S13 and 1S14, and returned home in the month of May, 1814, the Indians 
having been subdued and peace made \vith them. He continued his law studies with 
P. W. Hifrnphreys on Yellow Creek, where he then resided, and boarded with him 
and Robert West, and towards the latter part of the year obtained license and com- 
menced the practice of the law, full of hope and never doubting success. I was 
strongly impressed with the belief that my first duty was to get me a wife, without 
doubting for a moment that my success in my profession would enable me to support a 
family, not having anything else upon which I could rely. I then, in the Spring of 
1815, paid my addresses to your mother, Elizabeth Dortch, then in her fifteenth year, 
with whom I became acquainted at her sisters, Mrs. West, whilst reading law. I was 
very properly rejected, but felt the deepest mortification, which influenced my future 
conduct for more than twenty years. I then devoted myself to my profession, eschew- 
ing female society, and under the most solemn determination never to address another 
lady. I did nothing in my profession out of Roljertson, where I lived until the Fall 
of 181 7. when I was elected Attorney-General by the Legislature sitting at Knoxville, 
upon the nomination of W. C. Conrad, and without any application or knowledge even 
of a vacancy. One Samuel Chapman, who had been the incumbent of that office, had 
made himself unpopular by his intemperance. I then devoted myself w'ith great assid- 



296 
uity to my profession until I was elected to Congress in 1828, haying in the meantime 
accumulated property which 1 estimated at forty or fifty thousand dollars. In the 
meantime your mother married Mr. Brunson in the Fall of 181 7, and became a widow 
in 1826, with a son and two daughters, and with but little property, other than her 
prospects from her father. 

I was elected to Congress at the August election, 1828, over Dr. J. Marable, who 
had been for some years the member, a gentleman of decidedly popular manners and 
more than ordinary talents, and very great popularity, and who could not have been 
defeated except for his intemperance, which had become habitual. I was re-elected 
to Congress in 1831 without opposition. In 1832 many members of the bar. Judge 
Martin, W. K. Turner, G. A. Henry, N. H. Allen, Herbert Kimble, thinking I was 
not likely soon to give way and make room for themselves or others, determined to 
defeat my election, and as the best means of accomplishing it, selected General Richard 
Cheatham, living in Robertson, to run against me in Northern counties, and Dr. John 
H. Marable, who had been very popular in the Southern counties, as my competitors. 
The greatest excitement pre\ailed throughout the campaign between the friends of 
Cheatham and my own, and serious apprehensions for weeks were entertained of some 
bloody affairs taking place, as many 'friends on both sides attended all our public meet- 
ings, well armed and prepared lor any emergency. During this canvass an excituio- 
publication, containing the grossest falsehoods against me, was made under the signa- 
ture of "J. ().," which was generally attributed to General Cheatham and a few active 
friends about Nashville, but the authorship was assumed by H. S. Kimble. I de- 
nounced it as false and caluminous and appointed a day for establishing its faisitv in 
Clarksville. When the day arrived, the crowd was so great that the hill now occupied 
by Dr. Cobb, then in the woods, was selected for the place of speaking. The crowd 
was perhaps greater than ever had been in the town of Clarksville, before or since. I 
first addressed the crowd, taking up the pamphlet paragraph by paragraph, and intro- 
duced evidence clearly and unquestionably proving their falsehoods, and then charged 
and proved that the real authors, Cheatham and his Nashville friends, knew them to 
be false, and that Mr. Kimble had assumed the authorship without careful examination, 
and then showed that he likewise knew them to be false. Mr. Kimble appeared and 
replied not at all to the satisfaction of the iiuhlic, and the election resulted in giving 
me a majority over both. I should not omit that one of the main charges against me 
was hostility to the administration of (Jeneral Jackson, because I had voted against the 
bill then known as the " force bill," authorizing General Jackson to coerce, by force 
of arms, the State of .South Carolina, and giving him troojjs for that jjurjiose. I men- 
tion this fact, because a few years afterwards the whole of the gentlemen whose names 
1 have mentioned became the most bitter and malignant opponents of Jackson and the 
Democratic party, .^t the election in 1835, Wm. K. Turner was brought forward bv 
them and supported with great earnestness and zeal. My majority over him was larger 
than it had ever been before, obtaining a majority in every county. The elections in 
August, 1837, took place after Jackson's term had expired, and after the election of 



297 
Van Buren. My opponents seized upon the nomination of Judge White with great 
eai;erness, notwithstanding he had always opposed all the measures of the. Whig party 
and sustained every prominent measure of his administration, and especially in opposi- 
tion to the United States Bank, and a protective tariff, and the removal of the deposits 
and the independent treasury, after the State banks had failed 'to perform satisfactorily 
their duty as fiscal agents of the government. With all these measures I had been to 
some extent identified. To these measures was attributed the expansion of the banks 
and the derangement of the currency, and General Cheatham, hoping to avail himself 
of the distress in the country and to throw the odium of it on me as identified with the 
Democratic party, insisted upon a renomination, although against the original under- 
standing of my opponents, which was, to run first one and then another of them until 
I was defeated. He was nominated, and conducted the canvass upon the ground that 
he and Judge White were more reliable friends of the administration and measures of 
General lackson than myself and Van Buren. With this course, aided by the failure 
of the Bank of /Pennsylvania, which was the old United States Bank re-chartered by 
Pennsylvania, he succeeded in the election by a majority of ninety votes. 

After this defeat I resumed the practice of the law, and began to think seriously 
of the folly of my resolution not again to address any lady after my rejection in 1816, 
and of the propriety and necessity of a family as I advanced in life. My early attach- 
ment soon revived, I renewed my suit, and we were married the 20th of February, 

1838. 

When the elections in August, 1839, came on the people had an opportunity of 
seeing the principles of my opponent as developed by his acts in Congress, in which 
he identified himself thoroughly with the Whig party and became the open advocate of 
General Harrison, or rather of Mr. Clay. The election of 1839 terminated in my favor 
by a majority of 1496. 

In the elections of 1841 my opponents did not think proper to bring forward any 
candidate against me. In the elections of 1843 my opponents, having failed with 
Turner and Cheatham, brought forward G. A. Henry, and after an animated canvass, 
with the weight of the administration against me, I was again successful by a majority 
something short of three hundred votes. 

Mr. Polk having been elected President, I was invited by him, after the close of 
Congressional term, to take charge of the Postoffice Department, which I did, and con- 
tinued in it until the expiration of his term, the 4th of March, 1849. How I performed 
Its duties must depend upon the judgment of others. I am gratified, however, to be 
able to say, that the postoffice books showed that we had collected postages amounting 
to over seventeen inillions, and paid the same as provided by law, to contractors and 
others authorized to receive, without the loss of-a dollar so far as we could ever learn. 
All the postages due had been collected and paid out except thirty-five hundred dol- 
lars, due from deceased postmasters, and indulgence given to their families and securi- 
ties! Since the close of Mr. Polk's administration, so much has been said of the cor- 
ruption of Congressmen and public affairs, and their selfishness and folly in the 



298 

appropriation of the public moneys, that I take pride in saying to you that during my 
(ourteen years service in Congress, and four years in the Postoffice Department in the 
bitterest party times, no accusation or even imputation was ever cast on me of a mis- 
appropriation of the public money intrusted to my care, not even a wish or desire to 
apply any portion of it improperly for my friends or myself, and no charge, so far as I 
ever heard, of a want of tairness or impartiality in the discharge of my public duties. 
On the contrary, I was universally regarded as one of the principal defenders of the 
Treasury, and a terror to that class of claimants who sought to obtain public money 
by indirect means. I may state a single exception to the above remarks, though hardly 
worthy of notice. Major Henry, in his canvass with me, charged me with taking more 
mileage than I was entitled to, and made much out of it, as it was made so late in the 
canvass that any explanation could not be made before the election. The facts were, 
that members of Congress fixed their own mileage by a rule of the House. I had fixed 
mme at eight hundred miles— seven hundred and fifty being the estimated distance 
from Nashville. The rule led to some enormous charges by members, so great as to 
be esteemed fraudulent. Congress then ordered a committee to fix the mileage of each 
member, by which they were to be paid. The committee fixed my mileage some 
twenty or thirty miles more than I had before charged, and I received pay under the 
report of the committee, as every other member of the House did, and was bound to 
do by law. 

In April, 1849, I reached my home with my family, in very bad health, growing 
l)robably out of the climate of Washington, and the great labors to which I had neces- 
sarily been subjected in the performance of the duties of my office, so much so that I 
was unable to mount my horse. The cancer on your mother's breast, then appeared 
lor the first time, and we apprehended so much danger from it, that in the Spring of 
1850 we visited Philadelphia for the purpose of having it extracted, if possible, and 
had her c;ise submitted to a board of surgeons, selected by Dr. Jackson, her medical 
attendant. It was decided that it could not be taken out with safety, and that an 
attempt to do so would only hasten her death. Prior to that time, she had always 
been cheerful, buoyant, full of hope that she might be relieved, but after that time her 
spirits sunk, and her whole mind seemed given to preparations for a future life. We 
spent one day at Wheatland with Mr. Buchanan and Miss Lane. Her anxiety to see 
you and her other children before her death was so great, that she could not be in- 
duced to remain longer at Wheatland, or make any other delay on the road. \\e 
reached home safely. She very soon was confined to her bed, and died on the loth 
day of November, 1851. Her sufferings were great, but she bore them with fortitude, 
under the full belief that we would all again meet in another and better world, where 
sickness and sorrow would be unknown. Vou thus lost the most affectionate mother, 
and I the best of wives. After the decision at Philadelphia, she seemed to think of 
but little else than the prosperity of her husband and children in this life, and their 
sahation and reunion hereafter. You will find among my papers her deed of gift to 
her children for her i)ortion of her father's estate, which I drew up as better than mak- 



299 
ing a will, in whiLh she divided all that property among her children, at my request, 
giving no portion of it to me, except a life estate in the portion allotted to yon, which 
was done to avoid the necessity and the expense of guardianship for them and annual 
accounts as required by law. My children will see in this book a statement of the 
negroes given them by their mother, which for her sake, as well as mine, they will take 
care of and treat with humanity and kindness. 

During the canvass prior to the elections in 1853, Judge Martin died/and some 
difficulty presented itself to Governor Trousdale in making a J>ro tern, appointment, lest 
it might have some influence on the pending election, as well as upon the final selec- 
tion of a judge by the General Assembly. Under these circumstances I accepted the 
pro tern. ap])ointment to act until an election was regularly made, and I performed the 
duties for three or four months, and Judge Pepper was .selected to fill the vacancy. I 
found my health so much improved, that I felt anxious for some occupation. I could 
not consent to return to the practice of the law, and concluded to accept the Presidency 
ot the Rank of Tennes.see, and entered upon the duties in January, 1854, and served 
six years, and had determined to return home, but was prevailed on by numerous 
friends, who thought the public good required my continuance, to permit my name to 
go before the Governor for a renomination. He, under the pretext that he had com- 
mitted himself to another, declined to make a renomination, whilst he supposed I had 
declined to accept. A correspondence with him will be found among my papers, 
showing that no doubt existed of my integrity and proper management of the office, 
which satisfied me, although I believed then, and do believe now, that my opposition, 
as shown in my report to the Legislature, to his private hobby of an exclusive metallic 
currency and the destruction of all banks, together with my disagreement with him as 
to the construction of the acts of 1854 and 1857, the first authorizing the capital of the 
bank to be increased to its original amount out of the profits of the bank which were 
retained for two years, and then a report made of the fact to the Legislature, though 
the profits had been but partially distributed among the Branches owing to the miscon- 
duct of the Athens Branch. Then came the act of 1857, repealing the act of 1854, and 
the Governor insisted that the money which had not been in fact distributed among the 
Branches should be paid in the Treasury, which was rather low at that time. I decided 
it was my duty to distribute it among the Branches. The Governor also insisted that 
my Cashier (Morton), who was reported a Whig, should be superceded, and a Demo- 
crat .selected in his place. He also insisted that Wisdom, the Cashier of the Branch at 
Clarksville, a reported Whig, should in like manner be superceded. I told him frankly 
that both were good officers, and would not be superceded by my consent, and that 
neither of them had had anything to do with politics for years, and were my best 
Cashiers. He therefore superceded the board atJ^Jashville with a new one, who elected 
a Democrat to his taste. He also had the board so modified at Clarksville, so as to 
give a majority of the board against Wisdom, and elected Wilcox. I did not vote 
against him at his second election on account of our difference as to his "exclusively 
gold and silver currency," nor did the friends of the Bank of Tennessee, although they 



regarded it as a great absurdity, whilst the surrounding States dealt largely in paper 
currency. We believed if he was elected he could not impose upon the Legislature his 
ridiculous whim of a gold currency, or accomplish the destruction of the banks. We 
did elect him, although we might have defeated him, and he signally failed in carrying 
out his policy. I thought his partisan malignity so unbecoming his high office, that I 
did not vote for him at his late election, and shall not probably ever do so again. I 
had done so much to secure his nomination for Congress, probably more than any 
other man. I had done so much to procure his nomination for Governor, and sus- 
tained him with great zeal, that I could not but feel his omission to renominate me as 
unkind as well as ungrateful. 

I removed home from Nashville in January, i860, and spent most of the Summer 
there. Upon my arrival at Washington I learned that President Buchanan had sent a 
commission to me authorizing me to act as commissioner in behalf of certain citizens of 
the United States who had claims against the Republic of Paraguay, in conjunction 
with a commissioner chosen by that government. We were nearly three months en- 
gaged, and made an award, which you will find among my papers, if you have curiosity 
to look into such things. I have been more particular in giving you an outline of my 
own life than of other members of our family, supposing you may feel more interest in 
it than any other. 

Your mother, Elizabeth Dortch, was the daughter of Isaac Dortch and his wife 
Martha, whose maiden name was Martha Norfleet, the sister of Major James Norfleet 
and Cordial Norfleet, both of whom resided in the same neighborhood. Isaac Dortch 
was born in Halifax county, North Carolina, but spent most of the earlier portions of 
his life in the county of Edgecomb, where he married and moved to Tennessee in 
1795, '"i^d settled the place where he lived and died near Turnersville, near eighty 
years of age, leaving the following children : Nancy Dortch, who married Robert West, 
and is still living, having outlived most of her children. Norfleet Dortch married a 
Miss Blair, and had several children, and are all dead. Elizabeth Dortch, your mother, 
who married Archibald Brunson in 181 7, who died leaving Isaac, Elizabeth and Pene- 
lope, and afterwards married me on the 20th of February, 1838. Martha Dortch, the 
third daughter, married Dr. Leavell, had several children, and died some years ago. 
John Baker Dortch, the second son, married the daughter of Governor Willie Blount, 
and both died, leaving Willie B. and John B. , both now living, and Nancy, who mar- 
ried Bailey, and is now dead. William Dortch, the third son, married Marina Bryan, 
daughter of Colonel Henry H. Bryan, and died leaving two sons, George and William, 
now living in Clarksville. Isaac Dortch, the fourth son, died before he came of age. 
Catherine Dortch, the fourth daughter, married my brother, Willie B. Johnson, who 
died some years ago, and his widow and children now live in Clarksville. Hilliard 
Dortch, the fifth son, died many years ago, without ever having married. 

I have thus given you a brief statement of our family relations and connections 
from my recollection, in the midst of the excitement and turmoil produced in our town 
by the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson. If I survive the invasion of our town, 



30I 
which is now hourly fxpect.d, I may adJ some reflections as to my own hl-e. which . 
may enable you to avoid some of the errors of my life, the greatest of which, 1 think, 
was ever engaging in politics, though more successful than most others. 

Cave Johnson. 

The above letter of Hon. Cave lohnson, written to his sons, then in the Confeder- 
ate army is dated lanuary loth, .862. It was evidently commenced on that date and 
not finally concluded until after the battle of Fort Donelson, February 12th to .6th, 
186' \s appears from its conclusion, it is regretted that he did not give "some 
reflections on xnv (his) own life,- &c., as he then thought he probably would. Soon 
after the war began, all of his children having joined the army, he moved to the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Mary E. Forbes, his stepdaughter, the wife of Colonel Wm. A. Forbes, 
of the Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment, who was afterward killed in the second battle 
of Manassas. When General Grant's army advanced from Fort Donelson to Clarks- 
ville he with the Mayor surrendered the city to General Grant. He met the promi- 
nent' Federal officers, among whom was General McClernand, an old acquaintance and 
former friend who had served with him in Congress. He was a devoted Confederate 
from the proclamation of President Lincoln calling out 75,000 troops to invade the 
Southern States, until the final termination of the war. He refused to have anything 
to do with the organization of the Radical government, or even to vote while the men 
whom he had advised to go to war were still battling for the cause so dear to his heart. 
\s an evidence of his intense interest in the Southern cause we give an extract from a 
letter written during the war. To Hon. R. H. GiUett, of New York, he wrote, March 
.d 186- as follows : " So intense is the feeling against the North and the prospects of 
imlependence so much diminished by their recent victories, that a reunion with England 
and France, as colonies, has become a frequent subject of conversation and would 
secure the approbation of the Southern people as soon as the hope of success is lost. 
* * * * I have, as you know, always been a Union man, and violently opposed 
to secession, and was selected as the Union candidate in my old district because of my 
Icn- and determined hostility to nullification and secession, and secured a unanimous 
vote in it (This was before the war. ) I would have spent my last dollar in its defense 
and cheerfully yielded up my life for the preservation of the Union, but when I saw 
the President and Congress had set aside the Constitution, and under the tyrant's plea, 
necessity, that all security for property was gone ; the habeas corpus suspended; citi- 
zens arrested and imprisoned without warrant upon the suspicion of the Secretary or 
other inferior officers ; public trials refused; the civil authorities made subordinate to 
the military ; martial law declared by their generals, under which I am now writing 
and for which I would be sent to Fort Warren if deemed of sufficient importance. I 
could not^ut believe that our people acted rightly in seeking protection elsewhere than 
in such a Union." GiUett's Democracy in the United States, page 267. 

His feeling of hostility to the Federal government grew stronger and stronger as 
the war ],rogressed. This was fully shown by his letters to his sons. In one dated 
July 5th, 1864, he says: " 1 received yours of a recent date and am glad to hear of 



.your continued good health. I feel very lonely in my old age, without having any of 
my sons with me, but under the circumstance I would not have one of you with me if 
I could. I only regret my age and infirmities prevent me from being with you. I 
shall be content if you all discharge honestly and faithfully your duty to the cause 
you are enlisted in. Be cautious of your health that you may ever be ready for 
duty." 

His youngest son having been captured at Fort Donelson and sent to Camp Doug- 
lass, Chicago, 111., a prisoner, he visited him in the camp. He came after visitors had 
been forbidden entrance into the camp, and would not have been allowed to go in but 
for an order from General Halleck. He came in bowed down with age and infirmity, 
the tears running down his cheeks, but he found the Clarksville soldiers so bouyant and 
cheerful that his gloom was soon dispelled, and he was as cheerful as the prisoners. 
He spent the day with them, partaking of their fare. While there his son spoke of an 
opportunity he thought he had of escape. He spoke promptly and said : " My son, 
you must not make the effort. Leaving out the question of the danger you would be 
subjected to, it is more honorable and manly to share the fate of your comrades, what- 
ever that may be." 

He remained ijuieriy at home during the entire war, continuing his residence with 
Mrs. Forbes, though occasionally spending a part of his time at his farm on Blooming 
Grove Creek, near Corbandale, Montgomery county. 

In the early part of 1865 he received a letter from Major-General Thomas, signed 
by his Adjutant-General, asking his reasons "why he should not be sent into the 
aiemys lines, &c., Clarksville then being in possession of the Federals. To this he 
replied in substance that on account of age and infirmity he had been unable to take 
any part in the war, and had remained quietly at home taking no part except to express 
his opinion on public men and public measures; that "I spend my time weeping over 
the misfortunes of my country and praying for the safety of my sons." The God of 
Battles decided the issue of the war against the cause in which he was deeply interested 
and to which his whole heart was given, but his earnest prayer for the safety of his sons 
was heard, and all three, having served through the war, were surrendered with Gen- 
eral Lee at Appomattox Court House, Virginia— the eldest in command of the Four- 
teenth Tennessee Regiment, his second with Major-CJeneral Harry Heth, and his 
youngest son on the staff of General McComb. After the battle of Petersburg, April 
2d, 1S65, a letter was received in Clarksville from a member of the Fourteenth Ten- 
nessee Regiment, who was captured, stating that his eldest son had been killed and 
his youngest mortally wounded. This error probably grew out of the fact of the peril- 
ous position they both occupied when McComb's Brigade attacked and recaptured one 
of the Confederate batteries which had been captured by the Federals, and to which 
his son Hickman was assigned to command; and in the attack his youngest son, on 
horseback, had the sole of his shoe shot off, receiving a bruise on his foot, and dis- 
mounted to see the extent of the injury. The news of the safety of his sons did not 
reach him until after the surrender of General Lee. 



3°3 
He was greatly attached to his slaves, as his letter shows, thirty of them having 
been given to him during life by his wife, with remainder interest to his children. In 
i860 he was offered a large jirice for his farm and also for his slaves, which he de- 
clined, being unwilling to sell any. On June loth, 1863, he wrote to Hon. Bellamy 
.Stores, who had served in Congress with him, looking to the emancipation of his slaves, 
from which we make a few extracts: "I am now old (nearly seventy) and my health 
very irregular, and am ])ossessed of sixty-five or seventy colored people, inherited from 
my and my wife's ancestors and their increase ; not having purchased any except to 
unite families, nor sold any except for crime. Al)0ut two-thirds are females and per- 
haps one-half children under fifteen. The time in which we live, as well as my infirm- 
ities, admonish me that I should do something in my lifetime to secure as far as possible 
their prosperity and comfort when no longer under my charge." After stating that the 
law prohibited the emigration of colored people to Illinois and Indiana, but that he 
knew of no such law in Ohio, he concludes- "I address you on this subject not under 
the expectation that you will have leisure or inclinadon to give me any aid in the ac- 
complishment of my wishes, but with the hope that you may, without inconvenience to 
yourself, put me in connection with some of your benevolent societies or individuals in 
whom I may repose confidence, that I may learn from them where the best location 
can be secured for them, and the probable amount of money that would be necessary 
to remove and settle them." He was referred to Levi Coffin, who recommended Ohio, 
and he then made a list of the names of each family and the number of acres of land 
he thought necessary for the support of each family and forwarded to Mr. Coffin. The 
excitement incident to the war on both sides prevented him from carrying out this plan. 
After the close of the war, when the last gun had been fired and the Confederate armies 
had all surrendered, and a proclamation of peace had been issued by the President, he 
ai)plied to President Johnson for pardon, having been one of the excepted under the 
amnesty proclamation of the President of May 29th, 1865. The pardon was granted 
August 19th, 1865, and he, together with his sons, took the oath of allegiance to the 
United States government. 

In the electioii for a member of the Senate to fill the unexpired term of B. R. 
Peart, he was unanimously elected to represent the counties of Robertson, Montgom- 
ery and Stewart. He presented the certificate of the Secretary of State, which was as 
follows: "Nashville, April 9th, 1886. I, Andrew J. Fletcher, Secretary of State for 
the State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that according to the returns of the Sheriffs 
of the counties of Montgomery, Stewart and Robertson, of an election for a Senator to 
fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. B. R. Peart, of the Nineteenth District, 
Hon. Cave Johnson received a// the votes polled ajid is elected, &c. A. J. Fletcher, 
Secretary of State." See Senate Journal of '65 and '66, page 418. The County Clerk 
also made a similar certificate. The committee on election reported against his ad- 
mission, and the report of the committee was adopted by the Senate, they refusing him 
his seat. It was done upon the grounds that he had "consented to" and " counte- 
, nanced " the rebellion, and as his three sons had been in the Confederate army, they 



304 
presumed he had contributed "means" to aid the Confederate cause, and as he had 
not voted in the Spring elections he was not entitled to hold office, although no such 
law existed. He wrote an address to the people of his district on April 30th, 1866, 
setting out his efforts to obtain his seat and the refusal of the Senate to allow hini to do 
so. At this time there were twenty counties deprived of representation. In the con- 
clusion of his address he says : "They may learn a lesson from the fate of Haman, who 
erected a gallows for Mordacai and was hanged on his own gallows ; or from the fate 
of the inventor of the guillotine, who was among its earliest victims. They may make 
a bed of thorns for the people to lie on, and it may soon become their bed of repose." 

It was not long before they realized the truth of this prediction. When Brownlow 
was elected to the United States Senate and Senter became Governor, he found the 
same laws for the oppression of the people with the same arbitrai'y power in the hands 
of the Governor. The Radical party attempted to defeat him with William B. Stokes, 
and with this same power he enfranchised all the people of Tennessee, ^nd was elected 
Governor over Stokes by a large majority, and the majority of the Legislature was rel- 
egated to private life and to everlasting infamy. 

He died at the residence of Mrs. M. E. Forbes, in Clarksville, Tenn., Nov. 23d, 
1866. He was a member of Trinity Church and his funeral took place in that church, 
the services being conducted by Bishop (^uintard and Rev. Samuel Ringgold, the 
bishop preaching the funeral sermon. He was buried at Trinity Cemetery with the 
Masonic service and also the burial service of the Episcopal Church. His remains 
were afterward removed to our beautiful Greenwood Cemetery, where he sleeps by the 
side of his beloved wife. .\ plain, white marble monument was erected over his grave, 
with the following inscriptions : 

On the North side: Cave Johnson. Horn in Robertson county, Tenn., Jan. nth, 
1793; died in Clarksville, Tenn., Nov. 23d, 1866. 

On the East side: Member of United States Congress for fourteen years. 

On the West side : Member of President Polk's Cabinet from 1844 to 1848. 

( )n the South side : 

He passed through the strife 
Of political life 

Without a blot on his name ; 
Honor walked by his side 
As a guard and a guide 
To the temple of fame. 

JAMKS HICKMAN JdHXSOX, 

the eldest son of Cave Johnson, was liorn at the old homestead of the latter in Clarks- 
ville, Tennessee, October 8th, 1840. The residence is now the property of his widow, 
lying just east of the bridge over the railroad on Madison street. He was named after 
his uncle, James Dortch, and Hickman county, that county always giving his father 
a large majority for Congress, as also the counties of Dickson, Henry and Stewart, as 



30S 
will appear hereafter from the names given his other sons. He was given the best 
educational advantages in schools and colleges from an early age. Among the institu- 
tions of learning he attended, were Stewart College, Clarksville, Tenn., and Cumberland 
University, Lebanon, Tenn. \\'hen the war between the States was commenced m 
1861, he was attending the Law Department of 
Ciunberland University. He returned home and 
joined Captain William .\. Forbes' Company as a 
private soldier, which was afterwards Company A, 
Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment, C. S. A., then 
in his twenty-first year. He was soon after elected 
Lieutenant in Company Cr of the regiment, and 
subseiiuently pronjoted to Captain of hi.i company 
and to ALajor of his regiment. At the battle 01 
Petersburg, April 2nd, 1865, he was in command 
of the regiment, and remained in command from 
" Petersburg to Appomattox," and surrendered the 
regiment with General Lee's army on the 9th of 
April. 1863, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia 
He was with his regiment from the beginning of 
the war till its close, except when absent on account 
of a severe wound, taking part in all of its battles 
and skirmishes. He was sexerely wounded at the 
battle of Cedar Run, August 9th, 1863, being shot through the foot, from which wound 
sixteen or eighteen bones were taken out at times, lasting long after the close of the 
war, and from which he never entirely recovered. At Petersburg, April 2nd, 1865, 
McComb's brigade attacked a fort to the left of his brigade, which had been taken by 
the Federal soldiers, and captured it. Major Johnson's regiment being on the right of 
the brigade, he was assigned to the command of the fort. This attack and capture was 
made soon after daylight, and the fort and the line of the brigade was held to about 
eleven o'clock, during which time, the fort being the outpost of that portion of Lee's 
army, received a terrific fire of shot, shell and musketry from the enemy. The enemy 
having made a charge upon the line and the fort, the thin ranks of McComb's Brigade 
were compelled to give way, and retreat was made necessary. This could only be 
made by swimming Hatcher's run^ which he did. Immediately after crossing the run, 
the brigade retreated along the line of Picket's Division, the works having been aban- 
doned by General Pi< ket, and it received a severe fire from the artillery and infantry. 
Major Johnson soon found himself in command of the rear guard of that portion of the 
army, with about' one hundred men, his yoangest brother being the only mounted 
officer with him. He received several messages from General Cook, who was fortify- 
ing some distance in the rear, asking for " God's sake hold the enemy in check as long 
as poss'ble, that I may complete the line of breastworks I am hastily throwing up to 
retard the advance of the enemy." He held the advance of the enemy in check for 




3o6 
some time, fighting and then retreating, having had four skirmishes with them, until at 
last he was driven into Cook's works. He was then ordered to report to General Mc- 
Comb at Anderson's farm, near Extra Mills, where another line was to be formed. 
Wilcox couriers having brought information that the bridge was taken in front and it 
was impossible to cross the river, he was ordered to cross the river at Extra Mills. 
Reaching the river, he found that (leneral McCombs and others had crossed the Ap- 
jjomattox River, but as there was only one small flat-boat to cross the river with, it was 
impossible to get his men across. In the meantime General Cook, after a gallant fight, 
had been compelled to retreat, and seeing the impossibility of crossing, ordered all the 
troops to march up the river, and to the surprise of all found the bridge had not been 
destroyed, and they joined the army of General Lee, retreating on the opposite side of 
the river. He remained with his regiment and the army in its retreat, taking part in 
the fights till its surrender. He was one of the bravest and best soldiers of the gallant 
old Fourteenth Tennessee, and did much in winning for it that great fame which will 
last as long as the gallant deeds of Tennesseans in war are remembered. He was a 
popular man, and a thorough gentleman, and strictly honest. He left no debts unpro- 
vided for. He died at his residence in Clarksville, October 28th, 1880, and was buried 
in the sipiare at (Jreenwood where his father sleeps. He was married to Miss Mary 
Boyd, October 15th, 1S67. She was a daughter of the distinguished lawyer, George 
C. Boyd, and Mrs. Virginia C. Boyd. She is now the Postmaster at Clarksville, hav- 
ing been appointed by President Cleveland. They had two children, Cave, born July 
24th, 1868, who died August ist, 1869, and George Boyd, who was born May 12th, 
1870, and is now Assistant Postmaster. He was a member of the Episcopal Church 
from 1866 to his death. 

I'HOMAS DICKSON JOHNSON 

was named after General Thomas Johnson, his grandfather, and Dickson county, and 
was born at Farmer's Hill, Robertson county, Tennessee, January 21st, 1842. He is 
the second son of Cave Johnson and Elizabeth (Dortch) Johnson. He, like the other 
brothers, in his early life was given every educational advantage in schools and institu- 
tions of learning, among the number Stewart College, Clarksville, the Military College 
at Nashville, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His father was so anxious for the 
thorough education of his sons, that before the civil war, then a man of large estate, he 
frequently was heard to say and told them that he intended making his will in such a 
manner as to exclude from any participation in his estate any of his sons who had not 
regularly graduated in a regular course of study in some of our colleges or universities. 
Cave Johnson was a just man and would not have disinherited any of his children, but 
made this statement to them to impress upon their minds the great importance he 
attached to a complete and thorough education. Of course, such a thought could 
never have entered his mind after the war, when his sons had spent four years of their 
lives, the very best years for educational instruction, in the service of their country. 
Soon after his return from the University of North Carolina, he began the study of 



3°7 
law, but the war coming on soon, he abandoned the study of law for the life of a soldier 
in defence of his home and State. In 1861 he joined the company of Captain William 
A. Forbes as a private soldier, which was afterwards Company A, Fourteenth Ten- 
nessee Regiment, C. S. A. He went with his regiment to Virginia, and remained 
with the army of Northern Virginia throughout the 
war, taking part in all its camp life, marches, bat- 
tles and skirmishes, except when disabled from 
wounds received in battle. He was first wounded 
in 1862 at the battle of Gaines Mill, Virginia, an' 
the next }ear at Fredericksville, Virginia, and r( 
ceived a third wound at Chancellorsville, Virginia 
He was knocked down by a minnie ball at Gettys- 
burg, though not wounded, the ball failing to pene- 
trate through his clothing. He was on service the 
latter part of the war in the signal corps with Major 
General Harry Heth, but took part in all the en- 
gagements of the army as an aid to this General. 
He was a brave and faithful soldier, and continued 
in the service during the entire war, surrendering^! 
with General Lee at Appomattox Court House, •:^ 
\irginia. He returned home with his parole in '4 
1S65, and began the study of medicine. He after- 
wards attended the medical department of the University of Virginia, and later the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, graduating from the latter 
institution in i86g. He was for some time resident physician at Bayview Hospital, 
but in the latter part of 1869 located at Clarksville, where he continued to practice his 
[irofession until 1875, when he received an appointment by the Egyptian Government 
as Staff Surgeon with the rank of Major in the Egyptian army. He was sent with that 
army on its campaigns into Abyssenia, and on March yth, 1876, was wounded with a 
spear at the battle of Gourah and captured. He was a prisoner for forty-eight days 
and suffered great hardships at the hands of his captors. He owes his life to the noted 
chief, Rass Walda Cellassie, who controlled the provinces of Amhara and Samaine. 
For the valuable services rendered by him, and the high estimate of his ability as a 
.surgeon and gentleman, he was decorated by the Khedive with the order of Medjeddie, 
and is perhaps the only Tennessean ever decorated by a foreign government. In 1877 
he resigned his commission in the Egyptian army and returned to Clarksville, where he 
has since practiced his profession with great success. His studious habits, his careful 
training in the medical colleges, and his great experience in hospitals and the army, 
and his practice, has justly placed him in the front ranks of surgeons and physicians. 
He was married in 1880 to Miss Carrie Lurton, a daughter of Dr. L. L. Lurton and 
Mrs. Sarah Harman Lurton. They have three children: Sarah, Thomas Dickson, Jr., 
and Polk Grundy, Jr. He has been a member of the Episcopal Church for about 




3°8 
eighteen years. He was confirmed in Baltimore, Maryland, in iS6S, and has been a 
consistent and active member since. 



Pni.K CKLNDV lOHN.SOX, 

the youngest son of Cave Johnson, was born at the residence of his father in Clarks- 
ville, Tennessee, November 2nd, 1S44. He was first named Henry Stewart, after the 

counties of Heiirv and Stewart, hut when his fuller 
was called to the cabinet of I'resideiit Polk in 1845, 
as rostmaster (leneral, at the solicitation of Mrs. 
James K. I'olk, aiul Mrs. heiicia I'orter, daughter 
cif i''eli\ (irundy, his name was changed to Polk 
C.rundy, after President Polk and Feli.x ("irundy. 
He entered school at five years of age, first attend- 
ing the school taught by Mrs. Boardman, and con- 
tinued in private schools in Clarksville until 1857, 
when he was sent to James Ross, who had a board 
ing school about ten miles from Clarksville. In 
1S58 he entered Stewart College at Clarksville and 
continued his studies there until the beginning of 
?iln war in i,S6i. He first joined Captain Wm. .\. 
I I lies' ('om|iany, being then sixteen years of age. 
Ills lather was then a'hsent from home, and upon 
Ills leturn objected so seriously to his going into 
■> ' tlu irmy, that Captain Forbes, his brother-in-law, 

refused to allow him to join his company. He afterward joined a cavalry company 
being raised by Robert W. Johnson. This company, however, did not get the neces- 
sary number to entitle it to be sworn into the service before Governor Harris made his 
second call for troops. James E. Bailey, then on the Military Board at Nashville, 
came to Clarksville to raise a company for active service. As soon as he learned that 
Bailey intended raising a company, fearing his father would again object to his entering 
the army, he went before Judge Kimble, the County Judge, and took the oath as a 
soldier for twelve months. He was the first person sworn into Bailey's company. The 
company was soon organized and he went with it to Fort Donelson. This company 
became Company .V at the organization of the Forty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment. He 
took part in the battle oi' Fort Donelson, was surrendered with the Confederate army to 
General Grant, l-'ebruary 16th, 1862, and was sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago, 111. 
He remained a prisoner of war until Se|>l. 5th. 1862, w'hen he was e.xchanged at Vicks- 
burg, Miss. The regiment was reorganized at Clinton, Miss. The conscription act of 
Congress had been passed, but he did not come within the age provided for service by 
that act and could have returned home. He nevertheless volunteered his service for 
the war. He served as a private soldier in the F"orty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment until Sep- 
tember, 1863, when he was detailed for duty at the headquarters of Brigadier-General 




309 

W'illi.Tm A. (^)iinrlcs. He was npiJointed Aid-de-Cnmp to that (ieneral, with tlic rank 
111' I'irst Lieutc-iiaiit ol" t'a\ah-y, Sepi. 4th, 1.S64, and his ((imiiiission bears tliat date, 
signed by John (_'. Hreckenridge, Secretary of War. He served on the staff of (General 
(Juaries until iliat (leneral was wounded and caiitured, when he was assigned to duty, 
at the retiuest of (Jeneral William McC'onili, liy the Secretary of War as Assistant- 
lnspector-(;eneral of McConib's Brigade. lie was wounded during the siege of 
.\tlanta. On the iSth day of July. 1X64, in the battle of Lick-Skillet Road, while 
acting .\ssistant-.\djutant-(;eneral, his horse was shot under him, the ball entering his 
head just between liis eves, and rearing up fell backwards, and caught his leg under 
him, and in his effort to extricate himself he was i o\ered wiih blood from his bleeding 
horse. ■j'JiL- next morning he made the oflii ial report, of the losses of the brigade, 
showing that UKjre than one-half the brigade were killed and wounded. At the battle 
of Petersburg, \'a., April 2d, 1S63, while charging a battery whii h hail been taken 
from the Confeder.iles, he, while on horseback, had the sole of his shoe shot off and 
his fool bruised, and three niinie balls passed through his ( lothing. He retreated with 
the army, sw.ini Hither Run, and with his brother, .Major Johnson, covered the re- 
treat of (hat part of Lee's ami)' until the line of Oeneral C'ocjke was reached. He then 
reported to (ieneral .MiC.omb at .Anderson's farm, and crossed the Appomattox River 
,11 L\;r.i .Mills. He was surrendered with (leneral Lee's army at Ap]iomatto.K Court 
House, \a., .\pril9th, 1865, being the only i)ersonal staff oftiier of ( len. McCombatthat 
time. Captain John .Mien, Assistant-Adjutant-General, ha\'ing been wounded at Peters- 
burg, and Lieutenant R. E. McCulloch captured. The brigade surrendered at that 
time consisted of 54 officers and 426 men, total 480 offii;ers and men. He was not in 
Clarks\ille from the beginning to the close of the war. He reached home after he was 
jiarijled on the 15th day of .\pril, 1865. In Septendier, 1865, he attended McGill 
( 'ollege, in Montreal, Canada, intending to remain four years preparatory to studying law. 
( )n account of his father's health failing he only reinained one year. He afterward attended 
the law department of Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tenn., and received the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws in January, 1868. He was associated in the practice of 
law with (ieneral (hiarles until appointed ( 'lerk and Master of the Chancery Court, 
Jul)' .Sth, 1870. This appointment was made by Hon. Charles G. Smith, Chancellor. 
The constitution of the State, adopted in 1870, vacated all the jmlicial ofifices in the 
State, judge Smith was again elected Chancellor, and he was reapjiointed Clerk and 
Master for a term of six years. He was again appointed Clerk and Master by Chan- 
cellor Lnrton for a fidl term in 1877, and again by Chancellor Seay in 1883, and now 
holds that offi( e. 

He married Miss Kmma V. Robb, daughter of Colonel .-X-lfred Robb (who was 
killed at the battle of Fort Donelson) Oct. ist, i'868, and they had two children, twins, 
who died at about the age of six inonths. She died Aug. 29th, 1872. On Oct. 7th, 
1875, he married Miss Nannie W. Tyler, daughter of Hon. John I). ']'\ler and Mrs. 
Mildred Tyler. They have two children living, Cave and Mildred. He has been a 
member of the Episcopal Church since 1867, and a member of the vestry since 1868, 



3IO 
except for one year. He was for several years the Junior Warden, and has attended 
nearly all the conventions of that church since 1868. He was the Treasurer of the 
building committee of the church and is now the Treasurer of the Bible Society of 
Clarksviilc. He was one of the directors of (;reenwood Cemetery at its first organiza- 
tion and has been a director ever since. He is a Democrat of the old school, and l)e- 
lievesin the doctrine the least governed the better— that the Democracy "has con- 
fidence in man and abiding reliance in his high destiny," and "it seeks the largest lib- 
erty, the greatest good and the surest happiness." Believes in the "supremacy of 
principles which should control the action of government— whether the people should 
rule or be ruled— whether man should be protected in the pursuit of happiness or fc reed 
to travel a road assumed to he the best by others, whenever they have power to dictate." 

CCI.VCl.USKlN. 

From the foregoing .sketches it will hi seen that the Cave Johnson family were 
destined for war. Cave Johnson's grandfather was a i^rivate in the Revolutionary war. 
His father was a Brigadier-General with Jackson in the Creek war. He was a staff 
officer in his father's brigade with the rank of Lieutenant, and his three sons, his only 
children, in the Confederate army. It is to be hoped that his four grandsons will 
escape war, but who can tell ? The causes of war in our country seem to have passed 
away, but there are always agitators seeking to destroy the liberty of the citizen, who 
become .so extreme that war may be necessary at any time. We can only hope that our 
country, "the land of the free and the home of the brave," may be spared another war. 

iMlCH.AEl. S.AVACE. 

M. Savage, Attorney-General, was born in Montgomery county, March 12th, 
1859. His parents, Patrick J. and Ellen Savage, are natives of Ireland, and emigrated 
to America when quite young, and were married and located on a form in Montgomery 
county soon after. The father was born in 1822 and the mother in 1831. The son 
was given a good country school education, and at the 
age of twenty years he commenced the study of law. 
He attended Vanderbilt University in 1880-81, and in 
the Fall of i88r was admitted to the practice of law at 
the Clarksville bar. By close application, diligence 
and great perseverence, he has risen rapidly in his 
profession and in public esteem. In 1884 he was made 
Chairman of the Democratic County Executive Com- 
mittee, in which position he served two years, and in 
1 886 he was chosen Chairman of the Sixth Congres- 
sional District Convention, which nominated Hon. 
seph E. Washington for Congress. On the 5th of 
•August, 1886, he was elected Attorney-General for 
Montgomery county without opposition, which position he now fills with ability and 
credit to himself. July 2nd, 1883, he formed a law partnership with H. N. Leech 




311 
under the firm name of Leech (S: Savage, whicli relationship still exists. The ability 
and energy of the firm is generally recognized, and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad 
Company have retained their services as attorneys for the corporation at Clarks- 
ville. Mr. Savage is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, a most influential 
benevolent order. 

Hon. \Vm. ]\L D.anmel. 

William Madison Daniel, who ranks with the ablest lawyers of the State, was born 
in Henderson county, Tennessee, February 4th, 1S37. His parents were Cole 
Spencer and Martha A. Daniel, natives of Virginia. They came to Tennessee and 
settled in Henderson county in 1837, where they remained till 1S40, when they moved 
to Clarksville, where the father died in 1866, the good 
mother in 1884, six children surviving. Mr. Daniel is 
in a great measure, a self made man. At the early age 
of thirteen years he was placed in a position that 
brought him in contact with the world in a way well 
calculated to try the patience and endurance of strong, 
even-tempered men, and he proved equal to the emer- 
gency. He finished his education at Stewart College 
in 1859. and commenced the study of law under the 
instruction of (General Wm. .\. Ouarles, and in 1S60 
began the practice of his profession. At the breaking 
out of the war in 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 
Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment, C. S. A. The next • "' ' 

year he was detailed for duty in the signal department, and had charge of lookout 
stations for General A. P. Hill's division. In 1863 he took charge of the signal depart- 
ment for General Anderson's division. In 1864 he again united with his regiment, but 
was subsequently transferred to the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, and continued with 
this command until the surrender at Appomattox. 

At the close of the war he returned home penniless, as did many of the boys, when 
he formed a law partnership with the late Judge R. W. Humphreys, which continued 
until 1869. He then formed a partnership with General Quarles, which relation still 
continues. Mr. Daniel, though starting without a dollar, soon developed remarkable 
business talent, and while enterprising, was always cool headed and conservative, and 
has been successful in accumulating a handsome estate. In the first effort to build the 
Princeton Railroad, the company recognized his financial ability and enterprising spirit 
by selecting him as ,its President. He favored beginning work at once and building 
as far as the funds then held by the company \Could enable them to do, trusting to 
further efforts to obtain aid for the completion of the road. The directory determined, 
however, that the funds then held were not sufficient to justify the beginning of work, 
the effort to obtain the aid expected from the Kentucky end of the line having failed, 
and in the meanwhile other parties came in offering to build the road through from St. 




Louis to Nashville as a competing line witli the L. & N. The original enterprise 
was abandoned for this, which was only intended as a di\ ersion to defeat the project. 
Had Mr. Daniel's policy [prevailed, the road would have been completed ten years 
sooner. 

Mr. Haniel is a most earnest and forcible speaker, presenting his ideas in such 
plain, conservative argument, as to attract attention and be understood; and in 
plying a doubtful witness before a jury, he has no superior. A witness trying to 
evade the truth is sure to twist and squirm under his searching e.vamination. In 1880, 
when the financial troubles of the State became very embarrassing, and the Democratic 
party greatly agitated and divided into factions, and defeat seemed inevitable, he was 
nominated for the State Senate by the State credit wing, against his protestations, but 
he was finally prevailed upon b\- ]jersonal friends to accept, and did, entering the cam- 
paign with defeat staring him in the face. His conservative speeches, however, pre- 
senting the ([uestion in such clear, forcible language, did much to quiet the nervous 
excitement and harmonize Democratic sentiment in his district, and he was elected 
over lioth ("heatham, the Republican candidate, and Rogers, the Low-Tax Democrat, 
by a handsome majorit}-. The State t'redit Democratic platform in that camjjaign 
favored the settlement ot the State debt at fifty cents on the dollar, with four per cent. 
interest, and all party candidates for Governor and the Legislature so construed 
it. Mr. Daniel declined, however, to pledge himself to so low a rate of interest. 
The Low- Tax Democratic platform denied that the railroad bonds were any part of the 
State debt, and favored the settlement of the old bonds, known as the State debt pro- 
per, in full, repudiating the railroad debt. The Republicans favored a settlement at 
sixty cents on the dollar, with six per cent, interest. Neither party had a majority in 
the Legislature, and it was then that the famous 100-3 ^'1' ^^'''^s submitted to the General 
Assembly, and was finally carried, as it was charged, by most notoriously corru|it 
methods. Mr. Daniel took the lead of the conservative element, and fought the 100-3 
measure ii\' a bill of his own on a liasis of fifty cents and graded interest, maintaining 
that the State Credit Democrats could not afford to deviate from the platform ujaon 
which tlie}' were elected. His bill was offered as a substitute for the 100-3 '''"• ^^^^ 
the effort to substitute failed by one \ote. Mr, I^aniel proved equal to every emer- 
gency, and won character liy his firm adherence to party pledges to the people and 
conservative leadership. .\t this session he was Chairman of the Committee on l'>du- 
cation, and was a]ip(>inted to the delicate |>nsitiiin of Chairman of the celebratetl inves- 
tigating committee, raised to investigate the charges of bribery and corrui)tion in the 
passage of the 100-3 measure, which was the settlement of the debt at one hundred 
cents on the dollar, bonds running ninety-nine years, with three per cent, interest, and 
the coupons receivable for taxes. In this ])ositi()n he displayed marked ability in 
bringing out all the facts, giving general satisfaction. 

In 18S2 his name was freely discussed as the most suitable conservative Guberna- 
torial candidate, and the delegates from Montgomery county to the State Convention 
were instructed to cast their votes for him, but at his request his name was not pre- 



sented to tliat body. He was, however, by unanimous nomination, returned to the 
Senate that year (1882), and was made Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, taking 
a leading position in the Senate. At this session the State debt was finally settled. In 
the discussion before the Senate, Mr. Daniel made one of the clearest and strongest 
sjjeeches that was ever made in defense of the State's position, and it should go into 
State history. It is due to Mr. Daniel, while recording the.se facts, to state that he has 
never sought political preferment, but has rather declined it and discouraged his friends 
in bringing his name before the public, when mentioned either for Gubernatorial or 
Congressional honors. 

In 1879 Mr. Daniel bought the Cross place, his present charming home, out Mad- 
ison street, where he has improved two hundred acres of land and stocked the place 
with a herd of superior Jersey cattle, demonstrating his ability also as a skillful agri- 
culturist. The land was utterly worn out, and in a short time he has reclaimed every 
foot of it, making a splendid farm. Mr. Daniel was married January 31st, 1867, to 
Miss Minor DeCraffenried, of Williamson county, Tenn. They have seven very bright 
children, Fontaine D., Margaret M., Susie Bell, William M., Jr., Thomas M., Rob- 
ert H., and Bessie Lu. The oldest son has just completed his education, graduating 
at the Southwestern Presbyterian University with distinction, and has since entered 
the study of law in his father's office. 

RollERT H. BURNKV. 

Robert Harris Burney is a prominent lawyer of the Clarksville bar. He was born 
in Davidson county, Tenn., October 31st, 1854. His ]jarents were of Scotch-Irish 
tlescent. The father, Rev. H. L. Burney, was born in Robertson county in 1816, and 
uniting with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in his youth, devoted forty or more 
years of his life to the gospel ministry, with much good 
effect. His mother's maiden name was Miss Mary L. 
\'ick, a native of \'irginia. They moved to Montgomery 
county in 1855. The son was raised on the farm and 
attended good schools. In 1S75 he entered Cumberland 
University at Lebanon, Tenn., where he graduated in the 
law department in 1876. Returning from school, he im- 
mediately located in Clarksville lo practice law, commenc- 
ing in July of that jear. He very soon e.xhibited native 
ability, and his prospects brightened continually. In 1878 
he was elected Attorney-General for Montgomery county, 
in which position he served eight years with great effi- 
ciency, earning the reputation of being one of the ablest prosecutmg attorneys m the 
State. In 1886 he was elected by the Democratic party as one of the Representatives 
(if Montgomery county to the Legislature, B. J. Corban being his colleague. He was 
ajipointed to a place on several important committees, and was diligent in the discharge 
of his duties. He was very conservative, yet taking a firm position on all the leading 




314 
(luestions, maintaining his side of the question with a great deal of persuasive power 
and force, and was therefore a strong member and popular with his colleagues in that 
body. Retiring from the Attorney-Generalship, he formed a law partnership with 
John J. West, under the firm name of West & Burney. Mr. Burney is a lawyer of 
more than ordinary ability. He is conservative in all things; cautious, thoughtful and 
painstaking in his work. He is especially strong before a jury, arguing his points 
closely and forcibly, holding the undivided attention of the jury. He is a prominent 
member of the Knights of Pythias; and himself and family worship with the Presby- 
terians. Mr. Burney was married February loth, 1880, to Miss Clara Kennedy, 
daughter of Hon. I). N. Kennedy, of this city. They have two children living, 
Sarah B. and Mary L. The eldest, Robert H., Jr.. a very lovely and sprightly child, 
is dead. 



A. .S. Woon. 

Alexander Somerville Wood was born near Franklin, Williamson county, Tenn., 
Dec. 24th. 1830. His father, John Wood, was born in Maryland, and came to Ten- 
nessee in 181 7. He married Miss Mildred Standfield, a native of Tennessee, and re- 
.sided several years near Franklin. In 1831 Mr. Wood moved his family to Kentucky 
and died at Hopkinsville in 1838, leaving his widow 
with si.x children. They moved immediately to Mont- 
gomery county, Tenn., settling near Woodlawn, where 
she died in 1839. Alex, was the si.xth of the family of 
orphan children, and was by the early death of his 
parents left to his own resources, to make his way 
through the world the best he could. Of course he 
had to work hard to maintain himself, but by close ap- 
l)lication and the greatest economy he managed to 
obtain a fair country school education and save a little 
surplus, which enabled him to start in business on his 
own account, and in 1848 he commenced general mer- 
chandizing at Woodlawn. This little venture was so 
successful that in 18O0 he was induced to enlarge the scope of his operations by en- 
gaging also in the tobacco trade. With the exception ot three years during the war, 
he continued in ]3ros]3erous business at Woodlawn until 1875. Tobacco operations of 
that year proved disastrous to all dealers, and Mr. Woods lost a considerable portion 
cif his profits. In 1876 he came to Clarksville and continued to deal e.xtensively in 
tobacco two years, and was in the meanwhile engaged in the hotel business with Mr. 
.Morthington and the grocery business with Dority, Wood & Co. until the fall of 1883, 
when he formed a partnership with Florence Abbott, a very energetic, reliable young 
man, under the firm name of Wood & Abbott, wholesale and retail dealers in groceries. 
The house did a thriving business from the start, and are now on a firm basis and pros- 
perous. 




315 
Mr. Wood is one of the many self-made men of Clarksville. He is a (|uiet man 
every way, generous and warm-hearted, and draws around him many friends. His 
excellent qualities are to be judged by the esteem in which he is held in the communit\ 
where he lived so long, his old patronage following him to this city. Mr. Wood has 
been a zealous Free Mason since 1862, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor. 
He was married in 1857 to Miss Jennie Frederick, daughter of 'Squire Conrad Fred- 
erick, who died in 1863. His second wife was Bettie J. Brown, to whom he was mar- 
ried in 1866. She died in 1871, and in 1873 he married his present wife. Miss Edna 
B. Brown, sister of his second wife and daughter of Mr. Albert G. Brown, a promi- 
nent citizen of Montgomery county. 

John S. H.'vrt. 

The name of John S. Hart, who for many years was one of Clarksxille's most 
prominent and useful citizens, deserves a place in this work. Mr. Hart is now a ciii 
zen of East Nashville. He was born in Robertson county. Tenn., north of S])ringfield. 
in 181S, and tame here in March, 1842, from Nashville with Mr. D. N. Kennedy, 
engaging in the dry goods business. The house established by this firm is still in e.\- 
istence, having been perpetuated forty-five years by succession. John S. Hart suc- 
ceeded Hart iS: Kennedy. In December, 1853, B. W. Macrae was admitted to a 
]>artnership under the firm name of John S. Hart & Co. in the dry goods business and 
IS. W. Macrae & Co. in the grocery business. In 1858 B. F. Coulter bought out Hart, 
continuing the business imder the firm name of Macrae & Coulter, which continued 
until forced to close by the war. Mr. Macrae retired and Coulter reopened the house 
at the close of , the war, admitting George W. Hilhnan as a partner under the firm name 
of Coulter & Hillman. Later Coulter bought out Hillman, continuing the business in 
the name of B. F. Coulter until 1870. He sold out to his clerks, William M. and |ohn 
F. Coulter and Maurice A. Stratton, who continued the business five years under the 
firm name of Coulter Bros. & Stratton. Coulter Bros, bought out Stratton, and that 
firm still exists at this writing. 

Mr. Hart returned to Robertson county and engaged in farming until 1S66 or 
1867, when he removed to Springfield and engaged in merchandizing on a large scale 
with his brother. Re\'. Edwin Hart, in which he was not so successful as in his experi- 
ence in Clarksville, where he accumulated largely. In 1869 or 1870 he was elected to 
the State Senate as representative of Stewart, Montgomery and Robertson counties, 
defeating Hon. Jo C. Stark for the position. Mr. Hart served with credit to himself 
and his constituent y, making a very efficient member. About 1879 he returned to 
this city, engaging in the warehouse business with I. H. Shelby and Ed O'Brien, under 
the name of Shelby, Hart & O'Brien, Gracey '\Varehouse. This partnership lasted 
only one year. Mr. Hart made some money in the experiment and moved to Edge- 
field to im])rove his property, and is now in very comfortable circumstances. He is 
held in the highest esteem here by all, and warmly remembered by those who were in- 
timately associated with him. He was a live, enterprising spirit and a thoroughgoing. 



3>6 
warm-hearted Mason and friend. 'I'lie John Hart Lodge at Peacher's Mills was named 
in honor of him. 

I)a\iii Kincan'niin. 

Mr. David Kincannon was Jjorn in McMinn count\-. Tenn., Dec. 2d, 1S27, of 
Irish descent. His father was Frank Kincannon, born in Sevier county, Tenn., in 
1800. His mother was a native of the same county, born in 1802. Her maiden 
name was Miss Elizabeth McCroskey. The grandfather, George Kincannon, was 

l>orn in Virginia in 1865. Mr. Kincannon's 
jjarents moved to Bradley county when he was 
quite young. Frank Kincannon was the first 
Register of Bradley county, and was successively 
re-elected up to his death in 1844. The mother 
died in 1S66. David Kincannon was educated 
in the country schools, and at twenty years of age 
he commenced learning the tinner trade, serving 
two year's apprenticeship. In 1849 he com- 
menced business on his own account, opening a 
sho|) for the manufacture and sale of tinware, 
sto\'es. etc., in Cleveland, Tenn., where he con- 
tinued the business successfully until the war com- 
menced. About the close of the war, in 1865. 
he moved to Clarksville, opened a tinshop and 
settled down to hard work, sticking tc his tinner's 
bench ten years. His first experience in Clarks- 
ville was a ])artnership with Mr. James Hamlett, which lasted until 1871, when Kin- 
cannon & Hamlett dissolved relations and Jonathan Wood and son, Frank Wood, who 
came here about that time from Chattanooga, were admitted as partners under the 
firm name of Kincannon, Wood & Co. The business was greatly enlarged, doing 
considerable jobbing trade in tin and fjueensware. crockery, stoves, etc., and com- 
manding also a heavy business in sheetiron and tin roofing. In the meanwhile Mr. 
Jonathan Wood died, but the house was continued with Frank Wood as partner without 
change of firm name. Mr. Kincannon was economical in the management of his busi- 
ness and invested his jjrofits in real estate, and soon acquired four valuable storehouses 
on Franklin street and other good property. The great fire of April 13th and 14th, 
1878, which came so near sweejnng the entire city, started in his store, consuming that 
and the other three buildings, in which his loss was not less than $10,000 over and 
above insurance. But nothing daunted, seeming little concerned for the loss, so soon 
as the smoldering ruins had cooled his plans were matured and the work of rebuilding 
was commenced. He was the first man to let out a contract, which was for his jires- 
ent large building, 49x135 feet, covering two lots occupied by burnt buildings. This 
was the first new house completed and opened for business after the fire, and very 
soon he had the other houses, Franklin Bank and Ligon's storehouse, completed. 




317 
The year following he added in the new building a complete stock of hardware and 
many agricultural implements. In the meanwhile the partners concluded it was best 
to divide the stock, and Mr. Wood set up a house of his own. Mr. Kincannon ad- 
mitted his son Walter, under the firm name of Kincannon, Son &: Co. 

Mr. Kincannon is one of the best business men in Clarksviile. He is always cool 
and systematic in his methods — never in a flurry about anything — never crowded with 
more than he can do, because he can do more than most men. He is always earnest 
and positive in his dealings, and won't dally long to make a bargain. He is generous- 
hearted in all he does, enterprising in spirit, and unites his aid liberally in every public 
enterprise, taking stock in everything calculated to benefit the city, and goes in to 
make everything he puts his hand to a success. In ])olitics he is a Democrat, and can 
always be relied upon to render any patriotic service his party friends may demand, re- 
gardless of time and expense. Mr. Kincannon is in every sense a live, self-made busi- 
ness man of more than ordinary ability and business capacity, and deserves the success 
he has attained in Clarksviile. 

In 1852 he was married to Miss Lucretia F. Briton, daughter of William and Mary 
liriton, born in McMinn county, Tenn., Feb. i8th, 1828, and to their happy union 
have been born four children. Miss Fannie A., Walter B. , Mary E. and James Charlie. 
Both sons now have places in the store, and like their father are solid young business 
men. Mr. Kincannon is an enthusiastic Mason, a prominent member of the Knights 
Templar, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Kincannon has been a 
Methodist from girlhood up. 

Captain Ben F. Egax. 

Captain Ben F. Egan was born in Franklin, Simpson county, Ky. He graduated 
at St. Mary's College, in Marion count)-, Ky., in 1S46. The college was then con- 
ducted by the Jesuits, and the late A. J. Theland, of New York, was President. The 
Hon. A. H. (Jarland, present Attorney Ceneral of the United States, was a college 

mate of his. Immediately after being graduated he served =^ 

in the war with Mexico as Lieutenant of the Fourth Ken- 

turky ^^)lunteers. After returning from that country he 

drifted into steamboating on the Cumberland River as 

clerk of the Countess, a regular Nashville & Smithland 

packet, and as captain and sometimes clerk was an officer 

on the Magyar, Cuba, Minnctonka, J. H. Baldwin, May 

Duke, Mollie Ragon, Mayfloioer, Armada and many others. 

The noiii de pliiiiir under which for over thirty-five years he 

has written "Driftwood'' is "Buz." He maiTried Miss 

Nettie Miller, a daughter of Cajjt. Joseph Miller, a pioneer 

boatman of the Cumberland who was killed at Trice's 

Landing by A. L. Jones in 1851. Captain Egan was long connected with the river 

interest and associated with our people, as much at home in Clarksviile as anywhere. 





3i8 
He possesses a kind heart, and his genial, fun-loving nature always made him popular. 
Though not a citizen of Clarksville, this book would hartlly be complete without a 
picture of his generous face. 

Ch.svrles William B.aii.kv, M. I). 




Dr. C. W. Bailey, who is eminently known in the medical profession, was born in 
Clarksville, 'I'enn., March 26th, 1826. He was educated in the city schools. In ICS44 
he entered the Circuit Court Clerk's office as deputy under his father, where he con- 
tinued several years, devoting his spare time to the study of medicine under the in 
struction of Dr. Donoho and Dr. W. F. Finley. He 
graduated at the Louisville Medical University in 
March, 1848, and the following month commenced 
practicing medicine in Clarksville, where he continued 
until March, 1850, when he went to the country, lo- 
cating at Captain John D. Tyler's, now known as 
Hickory Wild, near Hampton's. That year, Nov. 
26th, 1850, lie was married to Miss Virginia L. Carney, 
daughter of Ed L. Carney, then the belle of (.'larks- 
ville. Rev. Dr. Hendricks, wlio still resides in Clarks- 
\ille, performed the marriage ceremony. Mrs. Bailey 
died in this city Oct. 12th, 1886. In March, 1S54, he 
left Tyler's and located in Trenton, Ky. He had 
already earned (juite a reputation in his profession, which followed him to Trenton, and 
he at once established a wide practice, distinguishing himself both as a physician and 
citizen. In March, 1876, he returned to Clarksville, and at once found a very lucra- 
tive practice, which is still at his command. Dr. Bailey has attained high eminence 
in his profession, and might have gained equal or higher distinction as a lawyer or 
politician. His strong intellect, general information and knowledge of human nature, 
his entertaining social qualities and benevolent nature are qualities that command pop- 
ular esteem and fits a man for any high station in life. 

Dr. Bailey is the oldest citizen now living in Clarksville who was born here except 
Mrs. Dr. Walter Drane, and he is not yet an old man. He has a keen recollection of 
his happy schoolboy days, wlii( h really go to make up the most interesting events in 
life. He has witnessed the building of three court houses in Clarksville, and has jileas- 
ant memories of the old homestead, the place of his birth, which was located where 
the old State Bank, now the Clarksville National Bank, stands; and the garden he had 
to work was the ground now occupied by Elder's opera house. \\ hen quite a small 
boy he attended with his mother the first service held in the first church built in Clarks- 
ville, the old Methodist Church on Main and I'Ourth streets, now the residence of Dr. 
Hendricks. Dr. John McFerrin then preached the dedication sermon, but Dr. Bailey 
remembers more distinctly what occurred on their return home than he does anything 



319 
said by the preacher. His mother and Mrs. Count Reynolds were walking along to- 
gether in earnest conversation. Suddenly Mrs. Reynolds stopped, calling his mother's 
attention: "Look there, Sister Bailey; do you see that dog fennel?" "Yes," re- 
sponded Mrs. Bailey. "Well," continued Mrs. Reynolds, " I do believe that the dog 
fennel and the Methodist are going to take this town." Whether Mrs. Reynolds was 
correct or not, they are both here yet trying, and evidently "come to stay." 

Dr. Bailey remembers some lively schoolboy incidents. Rev. Consider Parish 
was his first teacher and Rev. Kilpatrick his second. The greater portion of their time 
was taken up in flogging the boys, and the more they whipped the worse the boys were. 
Fighting was the principal playtime sport. The boys were all on their muscle, and it 
was some boy's business to get up a fight every day, and after the mill the teacher 
would exercise his muscle the balance of the day. The boys had a kind of code they 
lived by, and there was no trouble in getting up a mill every day. Chivalry required 
every fellow to stand upon his honor and resent the least imaginary insult or he was 
disgraced. The boy who had the most fun was the fellow who managed the fights. 
The manager generally picked the match and then informed one of the boys that the 
other had turned up his nose, or made some disrespectful remark. The boy insulted 
would place a chip on his head and walk up to the other, inviting him to knock it off. 
If the boy refused to knock the chip off he was considered a coward. If knocked off 
they would draw straws for choice and enter the ring, fighting it out. 

A\'hen quite small, soon after starting to school. Dr. Bailey jjromised himself that 
if he ever grew to manhood he would take revenge on his teacher, Mr. Consider Par- 
ish, who gave him a most unmerciful whipping for a very slight and unintentional 
violation of the rules. Mr. Parish moved away and was lost sight of and forgotten, 
until ten years ago (1S87). Dr. Bailey was called to the country to see an old man 
named Parish. His astonishment was never so great as on arriving at the house to 
find his old preceptor, who had returned to the neighborhood blind, feeble in health 
and l)roken down in fortune. The tenderest emotions of his heart were awakened in 
sympathy for the old man, and, remembering all the good things Mr. Parish had done, 
his sweetest revenge was in administering every way he could in his power toward his 
comfort. 

A singular coincidence is to be observed in Dr. Bailey's life. He was born in 
March, graduated in March, located at Captain Tyler's in March, moved to Trenton 
in March and returned to Clarksville in March; and says if he can have his way about 
it (though he would postpone the event indefinitely) he would prefer to die in March, 
the harbinger of gentle Spring, which comes with the music of whistling winds to an- 
nounce the presence of the God of Nature with his beautiful mantle of richest verdure 
and sweetest flowers, to cover the deformities of the world, and gladden all creation 
with His glorious peace. And cherishing sweetest memories of childhood days, he 
would have his funeral preached from the steps of the old State Bank, in the shade of 
the evening, when the sounds of the winds are hushed and all nature hajjpy in C.od's 
love. 



C. B. Wilson. 

G. B. Wilson, iiro])rietor of the Sevvanee Planing and Flooring Mills, was born 

in Warren coLinty, Ohio, May 25th, 1838. His parents were of English descent. Ihe 

father, Enoch W'ilson, was born in New Jersey in 1819, and died in 1852, leaving his 

wife and two sons to de^jend on their own exertions. The mother, who still survives. 

was Miss Margaret Bailey, a sister of Dr. Gamaliel 
Bailey, who was a very distinguished editor in 
\\'ashington City thirty-five years ago. She was 
born in Philadelphia in 1822. The parents moved 
to Cincinnati in 1840. The son was educated in 
the city schools, and entered Wesleyan University, 
Delaware, Ohio, in 1850. His father died leaving 
a widowed mother dependent on her boys, and he 
stopped school before he was quite ready to grad- 
uate. Mr. Wilson is one of the self-made men of 
the country. His youijger life was full of hard- 
ships. At fifteen years of age he apprenticed 
himself to Samuel Mills, of Cincinnati, to learn the 
( irpenter's trade, after finishing which he went to 
1 elicity, Clermont county, Ohio, and entered the 
high school for eighteen months, making mathe- 
matics his main study, and graduating. It was here 
he met his estimable wife. Miss Eva C. Larkin, daughter of Moses Larkin, a very promi- 
nent gentleman. G. B. Wilson and Eva Larkin were married in Felicity, May 17th, 
1859, and have ten children: Charles Henry, Lynnie (now Mrs. Frank Hodgson, 
Addie M., (Jilbert Bailey, Alice, Katie, Nellie and Elmer (the twins), George and 
Lewis: Charles Henry and Elmer, one of the twins, died young. The parents and 
children constitute a family of musicians, botli instriunental and vocal. 

Mr. Wilson commenced his business life directly after marriage as foreman for 
Mills, Spellmire & Co., large manufacturers of doors, blinds, sash, etc., Cincinnati. 
Mr. Robert H. \\'illiams was perhaps instrumental in his coming to Clarksville, in 
1866, at which time he came to superintend a fine building for Mr. Williams 
on Madison street, which was afterward sold to Mrs. \\'illiams, of Ringgold, and 
was burned down. The Methodist Church occupies the site, .\fter that residence was 
completed he built the Cave Johnson house, on Madison street, now the property of 
Mrs. Mary Boyd Johnson, the postmistress, next to the home of the late Henry Freeh ; 
and in 1869 the Glenn house, now owned by Mr. H. C. Merritt. In the Spring of 
that year he formed a partnership with J. P. Y. Whitfield and Dr. C. W. Beaumont 
for Sewanee planing mills under the firm name of Ci. B. Wilson & Co. In 1872 Henry 
Freeh bought Dr. Beaumont's interest in the establishment, and in 1882 Mr. Whitfield 
sold his interest to Wilson and Freeh, which partnership continued until the death of 
Mr. Freeh, in February, 1887. when Mr. W'ilson, by purchase of the Freeh interest. 




became siilc proprietor of this wiluable propLr.y, uliici: uas built up under Mr. W'il 
son's nianayenieiit tVom nothitig. W'itli a very small begin:. ing, lie has eoutinued i < 
add new machinery, increasing the stock and trade, until now the establishment leaches 
out o\er a wide territory of ricii country surrounding Clarkssille. Mr. Wilson is cne 
of the finest architects in the country, keeping up widi all the impro\enienls, and 
always leadv to give a ( uslomer calling for binlding maleiial any design, draft or plan 
for a house desired. He is the architect and buildvr of most of the modern line houses 
in Clarksville a::d surrounding towns and country. He gained public confidence liom 
the start and has inaiiagetl to maintain that gocd wid i.i his business. Mr. Wilson ha.^ 
served the city failhfuliy as .Alderman se\eral letms. lie w,.s for several years I'rcs,- 




^K\V.\NI:K PI.ANMX(; AM) tlnoUlXO .Ml 



dent of the Public School ISoard, and was instrumental in establishing the piibli( school 
system on a solid basis. Dr. L. L. Lurton, (!. B. Wilson and H. C. Merritt composed 
the first School Board for the Twelfth District after the reorganization and adoption of 
the new constitution changing the public school laws. Tlien the public school system 
was very unpopular. Dr. I.urton soon resigned and Mr. Wilson succeeded him as 
President of the Board. He managed to secure the school appropriation of that year 
for the purchase of lots and the building of two school houses, one on Main streit and 
the Third Ward school on Union street, supplemented by priwate subscriptions and 
other funds. He originated the idea of consolidating the city and Twelfth Di^tiiit 
schools, and applyihg the old Princeton railroad.Jund — the Louis\ille & Nasl.xille rail- 
road stock and bonds secured by the city in the sale of the Memjihis, (."i;.rks\ ille iV 
Louisville railroad, ind turned over to the ('lai'ks\ille &: Princeton road. The railioad 
|)roject having then failed, he advocated the apinopriation of $c;o.oco to the fiUid fcr 
building a fine school. The Presbyterian l.'ni\ersity iieojile ap|ilitd for it also for an 



322 

eudowmeni fund, and the city finally voted $50,000 to the university and $27,000 to 
the public school. 

Mr. Wilson is a member in high standing of the iMasonic fraternity. He is at 
present Deputy Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Tennessee, in the line of 
promotion to Grand Commander of the noble order — a very distinguished position. 
He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, President of the Endowment Rank, 
and a prominent member of the Knights of Honor. Mr. Wilson owns a beautiful 
home on one of the seven hills of Clarksville (First street) and enjoys a happy family 
and comfortable surroundings. 

Ja.mes J. Crusm.'\n 

was born in Clarksville, i'enn., on the 3rd day of July, 1837. He received his educa- 
tion at the old Male Academy and Montgomery Masonic College, which were succeeded 
by the present literary institution — the pride of our city — now known as the South 
western Presii\ terian Unuersity. M the beginning of his sophomore year the death 

of his father forced him to reluctantly give up all 
hope of a collegiate education for the purpose of 
devoting his life to the support of his mother's 
family. In his tliirteenth year he determined to 
forego the surroundings of a highly cultivated and 
most affectionate home circle to try his fortune in 
the West. He soon found himself in St. Louis, 
where he succeeded in securing immediate employ- 
ment in the office of a large dry goods house. 
After a few months service, where he was begin 
ning to establish himself in the esteem and confi- 
dence of his employers, he was called home to 
attend at the bedside of a dying brother and sister. 
The sorrow stricken mother would not listen to his 
return to his far away home, where his youthful 
imaginings had pictured forth such a brilliant 
future, and another obstacle was thus presented 
for him to overcome. He soon found employment in the grocery store of Mr. S. N. 
Hollingsworth. This position he only retained for a few short months, as Mr. Hol- 
lingsworth removed to Nashville, after disposing of his Clarks\ille business to Black- 
mail, C.ildwell iV Co. Within a few months the latter firm dis]>()sed of its stock to 
15. (). Keesee & Co., which firm was succeeded in a short time by Johnson & Alcorn. 
The latter firm soon sold out to Carr & Boardman. ^'oung Crusman retained his ])osi- 
tion with each firm, and in a few months he was admitted as a partner and the firm 
name changed to Carr, lioardman iS: Co. After a successful three vears of business. 
Carr and Boardman sold out to ( 'rusman & joliiiMm. but nuiug to some disappoint- 
ment, Mr. Johnson soon sold out liis interest to .Mr. Charles Mitchell, the firm name 




3^3 
(hanging to Criisman & Mitchell. This young firm of two of the best business men 
of their age in the place started out under exceedingly favoralile auspices, with a pros- 
pect of a very bright futui-e before them. But the war between the States came like a 
whirlwind upon us, and in si.v months after they had commenced business they both 
volunteered as privates in Company H of the Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment of the 
C.S. Army. 

Leaving their business in the hands of another tor li((uidation, they went forth to 
fight for the South. Crusman was made Lieutenant, afterwards becoming Captain. 
Mitchell, who served gallantly throughout the war, gave up his life in one of those last 
bloody days at Petersburg. Captain Crusman received an almost mortal wound at the 
battle of West Point, or Eltham's Landing, Va. The wound was of so serious a nature 
that upon the arrival of the ambulance to carry him into Richmond, a board of surgeons 
])ronounced it mortal, and it was so reported to the \\'ar 1 )epartment and published to 
the world through the press of Richmond. But Captain Crusman was possessed of that 
will power and energy seldom found among mortals. He insisted upon being carried 
to Richmond, and at the Arlington House in that place, by good nursing and kind 
attention, he recovered after a long time of patient suffering. What was his surprise 
after his restoration to health to learn, on applying to the War Department for his pay, 
that the records showed com lusively that he was a dead Captain? Red tape had 
accomplished in the shape of a re]:)0rt from a board of surgeons what a minnie ball had 
failed to do. He was dead — there was the record. After some annoyance the papers 
in the War Department were changed to tell the truth, and the Captain drew his small 
|iro|jortion of Confederate scrip. The wound just mentioned had totally incapacitated 
him for the infantry service, but that bold determination with which he is so fully 
Messed, and the business qualifications he has so ably displayed since early boyhood, 
enabled him to do valuable service on detached duty the remainder of the war. Still 
on his crutches, we find him in the trenches, bravely fighting to protect Richmond. 
After one of those gallant defences of Petersburg, he falls into the hands of the enemy, 
a prisoner of war, and. is sent to Point Lookout, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. 
To recount his escape from the Yankee bastile. in ( ompany with one lone comrade. 
Napoleon L. Leavell, formerl}' of this city, would reipiire too much space. Suffice it 
to say, it was one of the most remarkable incidents of those e\entful da\s. .\fter his 
escape from Point Lookout, Captain ('riisman made his wa)- to Canada. At the time 
of Lee's surrender he was at Quebec on his way to Bermuda, with a view of running 
the blockade into some Confederate port. Lee's surrender was to him, as it was to a 
majority of Confederates, a surrender of all the hope of forming a Confederacy, and he 
returned to Montreal to await events and to look for news from Clarksville. In a few 
weeks he ascertained from letters from Clarksville that his old comrades of the Virginia 
army were coming home on parole. He at on< e reported to the United States Consul 
at Montreal for a jxirole, but was informed that he would be allowed to return only on 
accepting the "iron-clad oath." This he promptly de( lined. Through friends he had 
his case reported to the j.Toper officer in New V'ork. The re]jly was that the oath was 



the ultimatum. To this he replied: "I will never again accept citizenship in the 
United States except on the terms granted to General Lee's army, to which I belonged." 
Seeing no hope of an immediate return home, Captain Crusman accepted a position as 
assistant book-keeper in a large English publishing house in Montreal, where he was 
making steady progress in the estimation of his English associates when in the following 
July letters from Clarksville informed him that he could get his parole in New York 
city. He resigned his position, and so soon as his succes.sor was installed in oiTice, in 
.■\ugust, 1865, he returned to Clarksville. 

He commented business on a s;nall cajiital the same year in the house he has con- 
tinuously occupied ever sinre. wiili Rev. S. P. Chestnut as partner. The business was 
^5sjr-— - _.;^, -',j- --_^ successful and the partner>hip < ontinued 

until Mr. Chestnut remo\ed to Nashville. 
He was the first Clarksville merchant after 
the war to make an effort to restore the lost 
\. iiolesale trade, .\lthough his first efforts 
were received with ridicule by the mer- 
chants o) the surrounding country, although 
the general c ry came forth that Clarksville 
was a dead town and could never recover 
her trade, and in some of the more preten- 
lious towns the samples he would send out 
would be returned unopened with such re- 
marks as "we can sell Clarksville peo])le 
goods and don't want samples from there," 
he pushed his business, making it a point 
to force such parties to buy their goods 
from iiiiii. \\ itn >a(n a spirit as he has ever shown to conquer all obstacles, in less 
than five years he saw the jobbing grocery trade of Clarksville as large as it had ever 
been previously. 

Since his ne.v l)eginni.i; i 1 '-^i^. there iias been no enterprise for the general good 
of Clarksville or Montgonery c junty started that he has not actively aided. Ever 
averse to holding places o! public trust, he was compelled by a unanimous vote of the 
citizens of Clarksville in 1878 to accept the position of Mayor. He found the city 
finances at the lowest ebb, the bonds of the city quoted at from sixty to sixty-five cents 
in the dollar, a floating debt amounting to over twenty-five thousand dollars, a city 
with |ioor facilities to prevent fires, and by making up his different committees, exhib- 
ing a clear-headedness in selecting the proper chairmen, his administration proved to 
be one of the best, if not the best, in the history of the city. When he retired from 
the office, the city had no floating debt, the bonds of the city were at par, a first-class 
fire protection had been secured, and he turned over his wand of office to his successor 
from hands not stained with the filth of "boodle," and with a consciousness that he 
had run the affairs of city for the interest alone of the people who had so unanimously 




325 
(■■■lied him to the highest position in their gift. In all the avenues of life, Captain 
(.'nisman has proved himself a man of a most generous nature, of the strictest integ- 
rity, and one who has an utter contempt for that man who earns his wealth by sly 
means or tricks of trade. Sincere in his friendship, grateful to his friends, whether as 
President of the Farmers & Merchants National Bank, Mayor of the city, merchant, 
brother, son. or private citizen, he has been faithful to every trust and, in fact, is now 
and has ever been one of the most useful citizens C'larksville has ever known. 

LoiKKRT tvr Revnoi.hs. 

The firm of Lorkert &: Reynolds, composed of Charles Lacy Lockert and John 
Bateson Reynolds, in the drug business, was formed March ist, 1882, buying out |. F. 
Warfield. These young men started on small capital; not much more than their little 
savings from moderate salaries as clerks. They occupied a small house and labored 
under many difficulties that often requires years to overcome, meeting the competition 
of long established and popular houses. At the end of five years they purchased the 
house occupied, paying about $4,500 cash for it, and in addition to this the building 
was changed, somewhat modernized, and crowded full of goods. Ten days after this, 
the building and stock was destroyed by the flames of the second big fire, which swept 
over a large portion of the city April 3rd, 1887. A very small portion of the stock 
was saved, and about $8,000 received for insurance, which left a loss of $800 on the 
building. After this they bought six feet additional from the Bowling lot adjoining, 
and at this writing are erecting one of the handsomest business houses in the city. 
The house is brick, 26 by 139 feet, three stories and basement, a beautiful iron front, 
and to be finished in elegant style. The building will doubtless be completed and 
stocked with drugs, books, etc., for both the wholesale and retail market, by Fall. 

C. L. Lockert was born December 19th, 1855, at Turnersville, Robertson county, 
Tenn. His parents moved to Clarksville in 1857, when he was but little over one 
year of age. His father was Dr. C. H. Lockert, who 
died early in life. His mother, who still survives, was 
Miss Emma Hughes before marriage. Both parents 
were descendants of well known and highly esteemed 
families, the father being a son of Eli Lockert, who 
figured in the early history of Clarksville. Lacy was 
educated in the city schools, spending two years in 
Stewart College. He commenced quite young clerking 
for G. N. Byers in the drug business, where he served 
six years, and then clerked over three years for S. B. ^^| 
Stewart in the same business, up to March, 1882, when ^^^ 
the firm of Lockert & Reynolds was formed. Mr. 
Lockert has sustained a high moral character from his 

youth up, enjoying public confidence both as a business man and citizen. Mr. Lockert 
was married September 23rd, 1884, to Miss Nannie Smith, a lady esteemed for her 




326 
many accomplishments of mind and heart, descendant of one of the oldest and best 
known families of Clarksville. Her father was Christian Smith, better known as the 
dashing, enterprising Kit Smith, a leader in almost every movement in his day. Her 
mother, Mrs. Lucy Smith, still survives. The family occupy one of the most charm- 
ing homes in the northern part of the city, fronting on the river side. 

John B. Reynolds was born in Clarksvillle, December i8th, 1853. His parents, 
William and Isabella Reynolds, were natives of Belfast, Ireland. John vv-as educated 
in the city schools, and in 1869, at sixteen years of age, commenced clerking in the 
book store of Conover Bros. In 1871 he changed to the other side of the house, 
clerking for Lurton Bros, in the drug business, both firms occupying the same house. 
That year Owen &: Moore bought out both firms, Lurton Bros, and Conover Bros., and 
Mr. Reynolds continued with the house as clerk until 
January ist, 1879, "hen he bought an interest in the 
drug store of J. F. Warfield. The firm of Warfield & 
Reynolds continued only one year, Reynolds selling 
out to his partner, and taking a clerkship in the whole- 
s lie house of Arthur Peter & Co. , Louisville, for three 
\ears, which lasted one year after the partnership of 
I ockert & Reynolds was formed. John Reynolds is 
much of a self made young man; he establi-shed a high 
character for himself in the beginning, and has all the 
while maintained unusual personal popularity and pub- 
lic confidence. Mr. Reynolds was married June 28th, 
1SS2, to Miss Mary Halsell, a highly accomplished 
1. M. Halsell, a distinguished Cumberland Presbyterian minister 
They own a neat cottage home on Fifth street, and have two 
si)rghtly little children to make home happy, John B., Jr., and Mary. Mr. Reynolds 
is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar, and a mem- 
ber of the Methodist church. Mrs. Reynolds worships with the Cumberland Presby- 
terians. 

R. \V. Roach & Bro. 




lady, daughter of Rev. 
of Bowling Green, Ky. 



R. W. Roach & Bro. at present writing is one of the leading dry goods houses of 
Clarksville. of the highest commercial standing, characterized for promptness in all 
things and generous in dealings. They are systematic, industrious merchants, pains- 
taking and acurate in selecting their goods, exercising a keen perception in quality and 
styles to meet demands, and are able to please all cla.sses of customers. The house is 
kept in perfect order, always presenting an air of neatness, and taste in the display of 
goods. The firm is also noted for its public spirit, taking an interest in every enterprise 
calculated to advance the general interests, the senior Mr. Roach being a most active 
and influential member of society, taking a leading part in puldic enterprises. The 
parents of the Roach brothers were Captain John I. Roach, who married Miss Demaris 



327 
Tuggle in Virginia. Cajitain Roach was born in Virginia in 1819. He served as 
Captain of a company of volunteers in the Mexican war. They moved to Trigg 
county, Ky., about 1851. The mother died in 1859, and the father in 1880. Captain 
John I. Roach was a son of Rev. Elijah Roach, a distinguished Baptist preacher ot 
\'irginia, who was born in Charlotte county m that State in 1796, and continued active 
in the ministry until eighty-eight years of age. He died in his native county in 1884. 
Rev. Elijah Roach's parents came from Edinburg, Scotland, and were of Scotch-Irish 
descent. 

Richard Whitfield Roach, senior member of R. W. Roach & Bro. , was born in 
Prince Edward county. Virginia, March 17th, 1849. He received a practical education 
and in 1863, at fourteen years of age, commenced clerk- 
ing in a dry goods store at Roaring Springs, Trigg 
county, Ky., and with one year's experience he suc- 
ceeded to a position in a wholesale dry goods house in 
Louisville, Ky., which place he held si.\ years, and was 
advanced to a higher salary in a New York house, with 
whom he remained ten years. In 1881 he opene.d a 
dry goods house in Clarksville, under the name of 
R. \V. Roach, meeting with remarkable success. In 
AiOOiZ^'umiW^aifif^^tieiS^SV. 188^ his brother, R. C Roach, was admitted as a 
'mfttfeiiy^ Mdi^SgxliSSSff- partner. Mr. Roach was married August 7th, 1878, 
to Miss Hettie Dabney, of Cadiz, Ky., a very prepos- 
sessing lady, and an active member of the Christian 
Church. Mr. Roach is a member of the Masonic fraterity and also of the order of 
Knights of Pythias, filling, at the present time, one of the most im[)ortant offices in the 
Lodge. 

Robert Cook Roach, junior member ot the firm, 
was born at Roaring Springs, Trigg county, Kentucky, 
November 14th, 1862^ was educated in the country 
schools, and one term in Ferrell's High School at 
Hopkinsville, Ky.. and in 1880 commenced clerking 
in a dry goods house in Hopkinsville. In 1884 he 
came to Clarksville, taking a position in hfs brother's 
store, and eight months after was admitted as a partner, 
and has made himself popular in the community. Mr. 
Cook Roach was married Feb. 28tli, 1887. to Miss Lou 
Redd, of Hopkinsville, a yoimg lad\- of an influential 
family, possessed of many cliarms. Mr. RoaoJi and 
wife are both members of the Methodist Church, 'i'he 
leading clerks of this popular house are William H. Major, Richard 1). Caldwell, and 
Miss Kate Gilliam, a lady whose good taste and excellent judgment is trusted in select- 
ing ff)r the lady customers of the house. 





KkKSEK & NoXTHIXclToN. 

The grocery firm of Keesee & Northington. compjs-d of J. \V. Keesee and M. C. 
Xorthington, was organized in the tobacco l)iisi;ie.ss in 1873, and commenced the 
grocery business in 1875. soon taking a stand in line with the foremost busin;;ss h:)u-.-. 
in the city. They are most active and energetic young l)iisiness men. Their prompt 
dehvery and strict attention to the smallest de-aits in -iccommodating customers gives 
the house a strong hold on the community. In fact they have studied the art of plc: 
mg everybody, and deal not only in staple groceries for the retail and wholesale tni. 
but give strict attention to all the little things which enter into every day living. . 
kinds of country produce, keeping a general feed .store and dealing extensively in c 
and fertilizers, keeping four or five teams employed. The policy of the house has been 
exceedingly prudent and cautious, using every opportunity to turn over goods at small 
profit, to be at once replaced, turning the capita! several times during a year, whii li 
brought remarkable prosperity, giving the firm popularity in the country and a hi^li 
commercial standing. The eflScient and reliable clerks who have remained steadily in 
this house are W. E. Beech, book-keeper; John S. Xelilett. \V. H. Daly and .\. i!. 
Trawick, salesmen. 

John William Keesee was born Decembe.- 27th, 1S53. He is a son of {;. S. ni . 
Mary (Bourne) Keesee. The father was born in Montgomery county in 18 17, a s 
of John Keesee. who was born in Virginia in 1783. •.> . 
a soldier of ihe war of 181 2 and one of the pioneer.-- 
Tennessce. who settled in Montgomery county in iS; 
and raised a large family of children. 'I'he mother v. . - 
a daughter of William Bourne, a well known cabinc 
maker and popular citizen of Port Rojal. She w ,- 
born at Port Re yal in 1831, and died near ClarksvL 
in 1854. 'I'he father. Mr. Sam Keesee, still .survin. . 
and is <ared for in his advanced age by his wo.- 
son. William Keesee, as he is more familiarlv kn-j'- 
was raised on^ a farm, attended the country sch 
and also Stewart College. He settled in Clarksviilc 
1868, and was kept employed by his uncle. Mr. B. O. 
Keesee, who was engaged in the toba-'to business, banking and general real estate 
trading, until 1S73, when the partnership of Keesee & Xorthington was formed. He 
was married October 2nd, 1877, to Miss Eva Simpson, born January, 1856, a mos: 
excellent lady, daughter of W. T. Simpson, of .\Iabama. They have two very bright 
children, Lula S. and John W., Jr. Mr. Keesee owns a nice cottage home on Franklin 
street, to which he is about adding a handsome two-story front, making one oS the 
prettiest homes on the street. Mr. Keesee is a member of the Knights of Pvthias. a:id 
himself and wife both very active members of the Methodist Church. 

Michael Carr Xorthington was born in Montgomery county, April 16th, 1850, 
a son of Samuel and Mary E. (Carr) Xorthington, descendants of Welsh-Eniilish 




329 
blood; both parents were born in Montgomery county, the father in 1814, and the 
mother in 1825. Mr. Samuel Xorthington's father came to this county from North 
C.'.rolina and settled at Port Royal in 1808, and afterwards moved to Kentucky, 
where he died in 1S20. Mr. Samuel Northington was the first cabinet maker who 
opened busine.ss in Clarksville in early days, as noted 
elsewhere. He afterward moved to the country and 
engaged in farming many years, and in 187 1 returned 
to Clarksville. where he still resides as proprietor of 
the popular Northington House. M. C. Northington 
u.is raised on the farm and educated in the country 
- lools. He came to Clarksville in 1870 and com- 
;. -diced clerking in the dry goods house of Mr. B. F. 
Coulter, where he continued four years, one of the 
most [jojiular salesmen in the city, until the Fall of 
1S73, when he formed the partnership which still exists 
with ). W. Keesee. Mr. Northington was married 
( )ctober 2ist. 1873. to Miss Nannie V. Neblett. tht 
daughter of Mack and Ann Neblett, born March 5th, 1047, ^^ho m ginhood was most 
attractive for her beauty and sweet amiable disposition, and after married life developed 
the most lovely character, self-sacrifice and devotion heing the chief attributes of their 
happy home. Mr. Northington and his wife are both active members of the Baptist 
( "lurch, and are raising up an interesting family of children in that faith. They have 
~;\. whose names are Corinne, Ora Bell, Samuel H.. S;crling N., Mary E. and Nannie. 
Mr. Northington is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor and Knights 
of Pythias. He was elected a member of the Hoar.l of Directors in the Clarksville 
National Bank in 1884. which position he has since continu.;d to fill. He has been a 
very successful financier, accumulating considerable real estate in the city. During 
the year 1886 he built his present elegant residence on Madisjn street, aiid enjoys a 
h;i|i])v and comfortable home. 

."^MllH & .\x:>KRsox. 




The Gra< ey \Varehouse is a large handsome brick building, corner ol Second and 
Cummerce streets, opposite the Court House, fronting 129 feet on Second street a;u! 
200 feet deep, one story in front and three in the rear, having capacity for storing 2.500 
hogsheads of tobacco, and is worth twenty or twenty-five thousand dollars. The house 
was built by Captain Frank P. Ciracey, who is still the owner, in 1878, and was occu- 
pied by different firms uj) to 1881, when the present occupants, Smith & .\nderson, 
< ame in, selling the first year 2,800 hogsheads' of tobacco and increasing every year 
after, selling in 1886 about 6,500 hogsheads. The firm is composed of James H. Smith 
and \V. B. .\nderson, both young men, well trained in the business. They started 
out on a sound financial basis, maintaining the highest business integrity with the peo- 
])le and financial standing in the commercial world. The following named popular 




CRACKY HOISE. 



gentlemen are associated with the firm in ditTerent capacities in the conduct of the 
business of the house: M. E. Whitefield, Louis G. Wood, (Jeorge A. Smith, Jr., antl 
I.ee Anderson. 

James Henry S:nith. senior m-.'ml)ir of the house, was horn in Logan county, Ky., 
January 28th. 1S51. son of Al)raham L. and ^L^ry (Long) Smith. His father is a 
natixe of Kentucky, born in 1820, and still resides 
near Adairville. His mother was born in Ten- 
nessee in 1825, and died in 1879. Mr. Smith 
attended the country schools, and completed his 
education in Bethel College, Russellville, Ky., 
entering that institution at fourteen years of age. 
He came to Clarksville in 1870, when nineteen 
years of age, and served two years in the emjjloy 
of Turnley, Ely & Co., Elejjhant Warehouse, one 
year with Harrison & Shelby, the old Clarksville 
Warehouse, and two years with Grinter, Young & 
Co., of the Cumberland Warehouse, after which 
he purchased an interest in the latter house, con- 
tinuing a member till the firm dissolved. The 
(Irange Warehouse Association was then organized 
and purchased the Cumberland Warehouse for its 
business. Mr. Smith remained in the employ of 

the Grange Warehouse Association until the firm of Smith, Anderson & Bell, of the 
Gracey House, was organized in 1881. Mr. Bell soon withdrew from the house and 




33' 
the firm has since reniaiiK-d Smith & Anderson, commanding a large share of the trade 
and a prosperous business. Mr. Smith devoted himself to the interest of his employers 
from the beginning, exhibiting energy and capacity, soon gaining a knowledge of tKe 
business, and general business matters, that commanded attention. When the Far- 
mers & Merchants National Bank was established, he was elected Vice-President, and 
at the annual election of officers for the year 1887 he was elected President of 'he 
bank. 

He occupies prominence as a member of the Tobacco Board of Trade, serving on 
important committees. In 1886 he was elected Mayor of Clarksville, which office he 
now fills to the satisfaction of the entire community. Mr. Smith was married Novem- 
ber 5th, 1874, to Mi.ss Lizzie Polk, daughter of Thomas Polk, of Robertson county, 
i)orn .Se|)tember 15th, 1853, a prepossessing lady of splendid accomplishments. They 
purchased the house built by Mr. A. B. Harrison, a handsome place and one of the 
most comfortable homes on Madison street. They have three interesting children, 
. Thomas Polk. George Charlton, and James H., Jr. James H. won, by unanimous 
I vote of both the judges and audience, the premium offered for the finest baby at the 
I grand reunion of farmers at Dunbar's Cave in August, 1886. Mr. .Smith and wife are 
both members of the Methodist Church. 

William B. Anderson was born in Robertson county, May ist, 1854, son of Ben- 
jamin H. and .Sarah (Porter) Anderson. Mr. Anderson is truly a self-made man. His 
mother was left a widow with a helpless family of children 
when he was quite a small boy. He received a limited edu- 
cation at Liberty Academy, Springfield, before his fathers 
death, and at the age of fifteen years was thrown upon his 
own resources. He spent si.\ years as book-keeper in the 
employ of the New York Life Insurance Company at Mem- 
phis and Cleveland, Ohio. In 1875 he returned to Spring- 
field, and came within a few votes of being elected Circuit 
Court Clerk against a very popular gentleman. He came tc 
Clarksville in 1878 and engaged as book-keeper for Shelby, 
Hart & O'Brien, of the Gracey Hou.se. His splendid quali- 
fications, as well as his acquaintance and influence in the 
best tobacco growing county in the Clarksville District, enabled him to command the 
position at a good salary, and he continued in the employ of the house until he became 
one of the proprietors by the partnership of Smith, Anderson & Bell in 1S8. which 
was shortly changed to Smith & Anderson, (^n the 26th of June, 1881, Mr Anderson 
wedded Miss Lula Pbindexter, the accomplished daughter of Mr. W. S. Poindexter 
whose womanly character and grace makes his home most attractive. They have two 
bright httle daughters. Kate and Sarah. Mr. Anderson lately purchased the Hen 
dri< :ks place, one of the handsomest brick residences on Franklin street, just above the 
(athohc Church. Besides this he owns other valuable property. Mr. and Mrs An- 
der>on worship with the .Methodist congregation. 




Hkrndon, Hallums & Co. 
The (Grange Warehouse, which covers near'three acres of ground, is at |)resent 
writing occupied by the firm of Herndon, Hallums & Co., composed of Thomas 
Herndon, Charles Hallums, J. T. Edwards and Thomas P. Major. This house was 
originally built for a planing mill by VVm. M. McReynolds and James M. Swift about 
(858 or 1S59, which enterprise was unsuccessful. McClure & Courts then converted 
the building to good use for the storage and inspection of tobacco, naming it ihe Cum- 
berland Warehouse, and operating it up to the breaking out of the war. In the l-'all 
of 1865 it was reopened as a tobacco commission house by W. S. MrClure. and was 
succeeded in the Fall of 1867 by Captain A. F. Smith and W. H. Turnley. Turnley 
sold out to D. B. Hutchings, and the house was operated under the firm name of 
Smith & Hutchings. This firm was succeeded by M. L. Killebrew and J. Logan Wil- 
liamson, Killebrew & Williamson being the style of the firm. Killebrew soon retired. 




_ -WL- 



1 i K.\N( ; K W.XRKHI )rsK. 

and the firm ofCrinter, Young iV' Co. was formed in 1S73, '^f'"- \\ iHiamson remainiiiL; 
in the firm, and the following year James H. Smith took Mr. Williamson's place in the 
house. During the year 1875 ^^^ house was operated by Smith & Kennedy, James H. 
Smith and James T. Kennedy, with A. B. Harrison as a silent partner, and in 1876 it 
was purchased by a chartered organization or company, made up of five hundred or 
more farmers, under the name of the (Grange Warehouse Association, with Captain 
Thomas Herndon as Superintendent to manage the business of the house, who was 
elected annually during the continuance of the organization. The funds to purchase, 
increase the capacity of the house and conduct the business was raised by the issuance 
of stock in .shares of $5.00. The grangers operated the house nine years, and it was 
exceedingly prosperous under Captain Herndon's management. The house sold from 
ten to twelve thousand hogsheads of tobacco good crop years, and after setting apart a 
large reserve fund, paid its stockholders ten per cent, dividend and a rebate of $1.50 



nn c-;i< h hcjgsheail of tuii.n c " >hi|j|)(_-J tu the- hnii^L-. TIil' nr.ingcrs urgani/fd in 1X75, 
iloing business out year in New I'rovuk'ncc, uidi Capai 1 Ilmnlon as Sn|n.-nnl<.-n(li-;il. 
In 1884 the Association (Iclc-nnincd to retire Ironi the tra L-, an 1 it c )nsj(iiiently went 
into Hi]iii(lation, selling its property for division. The \varj!ioii-;e was s')ld a' pulilii 
au( tion. Captain !''rank 1'. (Iraeey hecomiiiL; the punhis/r at $19,000. The I'lrni ol' 
Herndon, ^'ollng iN; Co. was orgaiii/ed and oper.ite 1 the h iiise two years, when Mr. 
Charles Hnllums bought the interest of .Mr. C. 1'. Noiing, taking his place in the firm 
The main building has cajjacity for storing three thousand hogsheads of tobacco, and 
the company have shed room for storing three thousand more. This house has at all 
times been the recipient of large favors, leading always in receipts, which have ranged 
from eight to twelve thousand hogsheads in good crop years, and fn e to se\eii thou.sand 
hogsheads in short years. The building fronts on C'lmiberland Ri\er near the freight 
depot, a most advantageous location. 

Ca|)tain Thomas Herndon, heatl of the firm of Herndon. Il.dhnns iV Co., was 
born in Orange county, North Carolina, August 8th. 1859. He is a son <if Chesley 
Herndon, his mother before marriage lieing Miss Temple Kigsliee, Ixjih natives of th • 
old North State, where they died. Thomas Herndon is the an liitci t of his own for- 
tune, and has won success and promineni e by 
hard li( ks. energy, and the develo|iment and 
proper use of native talent. He was thrown 
upon his own resources when ,i small boy, with- 
out the ad\antages of an cdui atioii, his mother 
lia\ ing dieil when he was nine ) ears of age. .\t 
the age of sixteen years he moved to Mississip[M, 
where he remained a short while, coming to Mont- 
gomery county about 1857. Soon after arriving 
here he apprenticed himself to John Long, a car- 
penter of more than ordinary note, and remained 
with him, working at. the trade, u]) to the com- 
mencement of the war, in the mean time obtain 
ing a good practical education. As soon as the 
tocsin of war was sounded, he was one of the 
first to volunteer his services in defence cf South- 
ern homes. His was the first name enrolled for 
Company I,, F'ourteenth Tennessee Regiment, made up in the \ninil\ ot Rmggold 
and was one of the most active and indefatigable workers m raismg the < ompanj 
of which for some time he discharged the duties of both First Sergeant anfl Orderly. 
In the reorganization he was elected Second-Lieutenant, and was in all the sangunary 
contests of Archer's famous brigade, except during the time he was in the hospital and 
prison of the enemy. His gallantry and devotion to the cause won for him the (onfi- 
dence ot his higher officers, and he was frequently assigned to s]je<;ial and responsible 
duties, and consequently the greatest hardships. He was wounded in the second 




334 
battle of Manassas, and \va^ 1)V speii.il assiij;nni_'nt commmiling Company K of tlie 
FoiirteL-nth Tennessee Regiment, leading the skirmish line opening the fight at 
Gett)-sburg, on July ist, i<S63, when he was captured with General Archer at the 
time the command was surrounded. During the time in prison, he pursued his studies, 
further qualifying himself for the duties of life. At the close of the war, in May, 1865, 
he returned home, and in June following opened a small store at Jordan Springs, and 
soon commenced dealing in tobacco, buying small crops and prizing, and was quite 
successful. In 1868 he bought an interest in Trice's Landing Warehouse, the firm 
being Whitlock, McKinney & Co. This firm was dissolved, and he entered for one 
year with M. P. Riggins & Co., at the same house, after which he became connected 
with Red River Landing, with A. P. Collins, in 1871, under the style of Hern- 
don & Collins, and later returned to Trice's Landing Warehouse, with Louis T. Gold 
as partner. This firm was succeeded by Herndon & Smith, (Len H. Smith). .\t 
the dissolution of that firm he became Superintendent of the Grange Warehouse 
Association, managing the affairs of that company until its liquidation in 1884, cov- 
ering a period of nine years. Captain Herndon's career has been anything but one 
of smooth sailing; he has had his disappointments, losses, and overwhelming mis- 
fortune to overcome, and ordinary men w-ould have yielded to what seemed the 
inevitable, but his indomitable energy and aggressive spirit knew no bounds and 
yielded to no depression. He has earned the reputation of the best warehouse mana- 
ger in the Western markets, and has at all times lead the trade in receipts and sales. 
Not only this, but he is recognized for his superior business tact, good practical sense, 
and his great zeal, energy and aggressiveness in whatever he undertakes. He has 
been for the past two years President of the Clarksville Tobacco Board of Trade, and 
was one of the principal projectors, co-operating with Mr. M. H. Clark, in the erection 
of the present handsome Tobacco Exchange. He was one of the principal actors in 
what was called the "scoop" of the Indiana, Alabama & Texas Railroad, by which 
the citizens, who had subscribed for the construction of the road, were paid back every 
dollar of their money and road completed and improved to destination, the first and 
only instance on record in which citizens subscribing to a railroad every got their money 
back and at the same time the railroad they were struggling to build. Captain Herndon 
was for eight years identified with the wholesale grocers trade of Clarksville, and was 
one of the first Directors and projectors of the Farmers & Merchants National Bank. 
He is also extensively engaged in farming, operating large farms in Mississippi, Tennessee 
and Kentucky. Captain Herndon was married January 14th, 1866, to Miss Sallie 
Dinwiddie, daughter of Rev. William Dinwiddle. By this union they had seven child- 
ren, only three of whom survive : Jefferson Davis, a very intelligent and popular young 
gentleman, and two very interesting daughters. Miss Minnie and Kate. Miss Minnie, 
just entering the life of young womanhood, is recognized for her bright intellect, mod- 
esty, grace, and sweet musical voice. Mrs. Sallie B. Herndon died December gth, 
1880. Mrs. Herndon was a good woman, a Christian. Modest and meek in appear- 
ance, gentle in manners, true in principle, warm-hearted and kind, of cheerful disposi- 



335 
tion and patient in suffering, she was indeed a lovely character — a dutiful daughter, an 
affectionate sister, a devoted wife, a tender and thoughtful mother, a faithful friend. 
A lady who knew her well, on being asked to describe her character, answered, "She 
was guileless." On November i6th, 1881, Captain Herndon was married a second 
time to Miss Laura Coleman, born May 17th, 1854, daughter of A. K. Coleman, of 
this county, a lady of strong intellect, pure heart, and an amiable, loving disposition. 
Their union has been blessed with three bright children, Laura Thomas, Fannie Tem- 
pest, and Chesley Coleman. Laura Thomas, the oldest, died about one year ago. 
Captain Herndon is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a Knight of Pythias. 
Himself and wife are both members of the Methodist Church. 

Charles Roljert Hallums, the youngest niim'oer of the firm, was burn in Robert- 
son cDunty, Tenn., .\])ril 7th, 1S54, son of B. and Lucy (Yentress) Hallums. He was 
raised on his father's farm at Pleasant View, tilling the soil in common with his father 
and two brothers until twenty years of age, when the farm 
was turned over to his management, when Charlie com- 
menced developing into a young Napoleon of finances 
and was entrusted with the general management of every 
interest. There are three brothers, Charles R. . John S. , 
.uul James J. They ha\e a farm, drug store, tobacco 
factories and other property in connnon. They never 
ha\e had a division of any property or earnings, but keep 
their handsome fortune, so rapidly attained, in one com- 
mon fund, under one common management, just as their 
lather provided for the family when they w-ere children, 
each one using whatever his necessities re(piired and no 

more; an example of unselfishness and brotherly care rarely found. Mr. Hallums 
commenced dealing in tobacco at Pleasant \'iew in 1883, and the ne.xt year his opera- 
tions were enlarged, running five handling or prizing houses, buying at Pleasant View, 
.Adam's Station, Cedar Hill and Saddlersville, still carrying on the farm and drug store 
with the help of his brothers. Li 1S84 he bought the old Southern Hotel, at the west 
end of the Public Square, building an extensive warehouse on the ground, now known 
as the People's Warehouse, and which he leased to Hancock, Fraser & Ragsdale. In 
1886 he became a partner in the firm of Herndon, Hallums & Co. Hallums Brothers 
are among the largest stockholders in the Farmers & Merchants National Bank. Mr. 
Hallums has obtained his wealth by close attention to business from his boyhood up. 
He is modest and unobtrusive in all his intercourse, a man of generous impulse and 
kindly nature that ^impresses itself upon every one who comes in contact with him in 
business affairs, and it is wonderful that a inan of'such tender and sympathetic nature 
has prospered as he has. Mr. Hallums was married October 26th, 1886, to Miss 
Lizzie Williams, daughter of Hamilton and Nancy V\'illiams, of Cheatham county, born 
in i860, who is a lady of many amiable qualities. They have one child, an infant 
daughter, whom they have named Mary Elizabeth. 





336 
Jessee Thomas Edwards was born December 21st, 1846, in the southwestern part 
of Robertson county, which fraction was afterwards cut off in the formation of Cheat- 
liam county. His parents were Oliver and Rhzabeth (Sharon) Edwards, natives of 
Cheatham county. He was raised on the farm and edu- 
cated in the common si-hools. In 1870 he commenced 
clerking for the firm of Sanders & Co., Ashland City, 
Tenn., of which firm his father was a member, and in 
1872 was admitted as a member of the firm, when he 
engaged in the tobacco business wi'h the house, continu- 
ing till 1883, when he sold out and moved to Clarksville, 
and engaged in handling tobacco as agent for the Grange 
Warehouse until the change occurred, when he was" in- 
cluded in the firm of Herndon, Young & Co. Mr. Ed- 
wards is highly esteemed for his pleasant social qualities, 
generous nature, and splendid business capacity; good 

judgment, great energy and nerve characterize him in the conduct of business affairs, 
in which he has been ver\' successful. Mr. Edwards was married November 13th. 
1S66, to Miss .Mary 1,. I.eno.x, daughter of James and Judith Lenox, of Cheatham 
county, born 1848, a lad\- of most amiable character. Their wedded life has been 
blessed with three interesting thildren. Thomas, the eldest, is an interesting young 
man, just entering upon a most promising business career as member of the drug firm 
of .-\skew (S: I'^duards, and two lo\ely daughters, Mary and Lela, bring sunshine and 
hapjjiness to their elegant liDUie. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
Himself, wife and children worship with the Methodist congregation. 

Thomas Pendleton M:ijor, who is the effi<ient bookkeejier and treasurer of the 
house, was born in Trigg < ounty. Ky.. July 4tli. 1853 — a heart full of patriotism, 
always swelling with deviilion and enthusiasm for ever\- worthy object and every good 
frientl — son of C. H. and M. J. Major. His father, a 
nati\e ol \'irginia, and his mother born and reared in 
Christian count)-, Ky. .Mr. Major was brought u]) on 
ilie t'lrm. and educated in the common schools at Canton. 
Ky. .\t the age of sixteen years he entered the dr\ 
guilds stiire of j. W. ('Iia])el, Cadiz, Ky., serving in the 
c.ipai ity of clerk t'our \ears, when he was appointed 
Mcpiiiy Sheriff of Trigg count)-, ser\-ing one year, and in 
December, 1875. he came to Clarksville, engaging his 
ser\ ires to Sn-iith .S: Kennedy, of the Cumberland Ware- 
house, and has since continued his connection with the 
house in all the various changes which have taken place, 
nine years with the grangers. His s)stematic habits, thorough knowledge 
and correc t methods in l)(n)k-keei)ing. make his services indispen.sable, and with it all. 
he is ,1 gentleman of a geiiial. geiterous nature, and universally popular. Mr. .Major 





including 



337 
was married November Stli, 1877, to Miss Clara Redd, daughter of Stapleton and 
Mary Redd, of Trigg county, Ky., born November 4th, 1857. Mrs. Major is a lady 
of high order of intelligence, and possesses those rare accompHshments which qualify 
a woman for the responsible and delicate duties to both society and happy domestic life. 
She is an enthusiastic Christian lady, always ready to discharge any duty assigned her. 
Mr. Major is a member of the Knights of Honor and Masonic fraternity. Three 
children have been born to this marriage. The first, born October 13th, 1878, died 
in infancy. James Thompson, born December i6th, 1879, a remarkably sprightly 
child, died November ist, 1881. Their only living child, Hettie, a sweet little girl of 
five years, is the pet and idol of the household. Mr. Majors and wife have a very 
handsome cottage home on Munford avenue, and both are members of the Methodist 
Church. 

Hancock, Fr.^ser & Racsdale. 
The People's Warehouse, operated by Hancock, Fraser & Ragsdale, is located at 
the west end of the Public Sciuare, fronting on Main street, occupying the old Southern 
Hotel site, the front of the old hotel being utilized for offices, etc. Their warehouse 




I'KOPLF. S WARKHOUSE. 

is 96 by 300 feet, having capacity for the storage of 2,200 hogsheads of tobacco. The 
house was built' in 1884 for the use of its pre^nt occupants, by Charles R. Hallums, 
and is still owned by him. The firm was organized November ist, 1884, composed of 
Thomas R. Hancock, William I. Fraser, and William E. Ragsdale, of Hopkinsville. 
William J. E^ly entered the house as book-keeper for the first season, and in 1885 
became a partner. No house in Clarksville has ever enjoyed a higher reputation for 
straight-forward, honorable dealings with its customers. Content with a living business 



338 
ami taking no extraordinary risk, the i)iisiness of the lio'ise has licen worked ii|.) to a'lout 
5,000 hogsheads. 

Thomas R. Hancock, the head of the firm, was buni in Charlotte county, Virginii, 
July 17th, 1842, son of N. H. and Paulina (Rudd) Hancock. Both parents were hor 1 
in 1807. Mr. Hancock was deprived of the advantage of a thorough education, at- 
tending only the common schools up to the war, gaining a more general knowledge 

since by practical business life. At the beginning 
of the war in i,S6i, he enlisted on the Confederate 
side, joining the Brook Neal Rifles of Cam|)hell 
county, Virginia, called out by the State, and was 
elected Second-Lieutenant of the company. I'his 
company finally disbanded, and he enlisted in 
Company A, Twenty-First Virginia Regiment, 
Second Brigade of Jackson's Division, and served 
till the close of the war, receiving a wound at the 
battle of Cedar Creek, Va. In 1866 Mr. Hancock 
moved to Trigg county, Ky., and engaged in the 
dry goods business two years. Two years later 
he stopped merchandizing and engaged as book- 
keeper for Captain Herndon and associates in the 
ivarehouse business in New Providence for two 
/ears. In 1871 he went to Hopkinsville, engaging 
in the tobacco business until 1879. He then went 
to New York city, serving four years there as tobacco inspector. After that he re- 
turned to Hopkinsville, opening a tobacco commission house with William I. Fraser 
and William E. Ragsdale as partners, which house is still in operation, being managed 
by Mr. Ragsdale, who is also a partner in the People's Warehouse in Clarksville. 
Mr. Hancock moved to Clarksville in 1884, at the time the People's Warehouse was 
organized. He was married January 26th, 1875, to Miss Rebecca E. Ragsdale, a 
lady of splendid accomplishments, born in Lafayette, Ky., in 1853. They have four 
very sprightly children, all of whom are boys: William M., James W., Douglass B., and 
Thomas R. , Jr. Mrs. Hancock is a member of the Methodist Church, and is much 
esteemed for her goodness of heart and amiable disposition. Mr. Hancock is a sub- 
stantial business man and a good citizen. 

William E. Ragsdale, third member of the firm, is a citizen ot Hopkinsville, and 
manager of the firm's house in that place. He is about forty years of age, a son of 
William Ragsdale, of Lafayette, Ky., and was brought up in the tobacco business. 

William Irvin Fraser was born in Christian county, Ky., March loth, 1843, son 
of Dr. J. W. Fraser, native of Virginia; his mother before marriage was Miss Mary 
Brigham, native of Stewart county, Tenn. Both parents died in 1S77. Mr. Fraser 
was raised in Lafayette, Ky. , brought up on the firm, and received a common school 
education. November ist, 1883, he engaged in the warehouse business in Hopkins- 





339 

villf, in the firm of Hancock & Fraser one year, and the next year Hancock, Fraser & 
Ragsdale, establishing the second, or People's Warehouse, in Clarksville. Mr. Fraser 
is a good business man, of high moral character, and the worst that can be said of him 
is that he is an old bachelor. 

William J. Ely was born in Clarksville, October 5th, 1835, of English descent. 
His father wasjes.se Ely, born in Logan county, Ky., February 12th, 1803, and died 
in Clarksville, January 19th, 1847. He was a hatter by trade, came to Clarksville 
when a young man, and married Miss Charlotte Jamison, 
born in Clarksville, March 28th, 1809, and was educated 
in the first school house ever built in Clarksville, an old log 
cabin that stood near the location of the present market 
house. She died August 17th, 1875. Jesse Ely and wife 
\vt:re distinguished for their firm Christian integrity, which 
characterized their walk through life. They raised a family 
of eight children, all still living, and brought them up to 
be useful citizens and members of the Baptist Church ; one 
perhaps afterwards left to join with her husband another 
denomination. William was the third of this interesting 
family of children. He was educated at the old Clarksville 

Male .\cademy. At the age of fourteen years he entered the Chronicle office as an 
a]jprentice to learn the art preservative, serving four years. He was then appointed 
Deputy Postmaster, serving several years. In 1854 he engaged in merchandising at 
Peacher's Mills, remaining there until 1861, when he returned to Clarksville with a 
view to entering business here, but soon the war put an end to such operations. Dur- 
ing the four years of hostility he was in the Ordinance Department. In 1865 he 
engaged as clerk for B. O. Keesee in the hardware business, and September ist, 1869, 
commenced his career in the tobacco busine.ss, which has continued up to this date, 
nineteen years, first as a member of the firm of Turnley, Ely & Co., Elephant Ware- 
house, ujj to 1876; then Turnley, Ely & Kennedy, up to November 1st, 1884, and 
one year as Ely & Kennedy; when the latter partnership expired he sold his interest 
in the Elephant Warehouse and engaged as book keeper one year in the People's Ware- 
house, when he became a partner in the business. Mr. Ely was married in 1858 to 
Miss Fannie Galbraith, of Kentucky, who died in i860, and nine years after, he was 
wedded to Miss Johnnie Brown, born in Kentucky in 1845, daughter of the present 
Mrs. Dr. Wni. Flinn, a most estimable lady. They have one child, Edith, a lovely 
daughter, born September 28th, 1874. Mr. William J. Ely ranks as one of the most 
valued citizens of Clarksville, esteemed for his good business sense, upright character, 
])rogressive .spirit, and great usefulness to society. He has long been Treasurer of the 
Baptist Church, holding that position of Christian integriry and influence in that body 
which made his father conspicuous. He is an eminent Mason, and makes an excellent 
officer in all the bodies from Blue Lodge up to Knights Templar. He makes a most 
useful memlier of the Knights of Honor, has long been the efficient Secretary and 



340 
Treasurer of the Mechanics' & Laborers' and Chirksville Building and Loan Associa- 
tions, and has served most efficiently as Chairman of the Finance Committee in the 
Board of Mayor and Aldermen. He possesses a generous nature, and is exceedingly 
liberal in the support of his church, the missionary work, charity, etc., and public 
s])irited in all things. Some ten years ago he built an elegant cottage residence on 
Madison street, which himself and f;tmily still occupy. 

T. D. LlICKKTI & Co. 

One ot the largest tobacco stemmeries and re-handling houses in the Southwest is 
that of T. D. Luckett & Co. at Clarksville. The structure is eighty by one hundred 
and sixty feet in the clear, five stories high, is built of brick, and has a capacity for 
working from three to four million pounds of the juicy luxury annually. The firm is 
composed of Thomas D. Luckett, M. H. and L. R. Clark, and has been in active 
business for many years. It owns auxiliary houses in Benton county, Tennessee, and 
at Hanson, Kentucky, in which neighborhoods tobacco is purchased, and after being 
hand-packed, is shipped to the main factory at Clarksville, where it undergoes such 
ordeals as are best adapted to the various grades, and then it is shipped to the market 
for which it is best suited. The Clarksville establishment employs one hundred and 
and sixty hands, besides a large force of department superintendents, receivers, buyers 
and clerks. This massive building is furnished with complete heating apparatus, which 
besides warming up the premises in Winter, is used in several drying rooms in order to 
expedite the drying out of tobacco in case of "hot bulks" or any other damp misfor- 
tune that should occur to the precious plant during its most valuable period ; and for 
bringing in order tobacco that may be too dry to handle. Thus the factory is enabled 
to keep its employes at work irrespective of the condition of the weather at any season. 
The ordinary hanging department is in the third, fourth and fifth stories, where there 
is ample tier room for handling one thousand hogsheads. The bulk rooms are very 
large and airy, being located in the basement and cellar, and the stemming room is on 
the south end of the first floor, where tables are amnged for fifty hands. The spacious 
prizing room has eleven "Old Virginia" presses, which in busy times keeps two crews 
of pressmen at work all the time. Everything about the factory is of modern design, 
elevators, tobacco cars and other appliances that tend to make it possible to handle the 
weed much faster than the old time process could possibly accomplish. The average 
amount of tobacco handled in this factory since the addition of the improved portions 
of the gigantic building, is two and one-half millions of pounds annually. It is hardly 
necessary to remark here that it is by great odds the largest factory in Clarksville, yet 
this is true, and the work annually accomplished in it is nearly as much as in all the 
others put together. Tobacco is shipped from its warehouses to all parts of the Old 
World, particularly the various states of the German Empire, and large quantities go 
to England, Austria and Italy. The money disbursed to the people of Clarksville and 
the surrounding country by T. D. Luckett & Co. , through their purchases of tobacco 
and for the necessary expenses of running their mammoth factory, amounts to a vast 



341 
sum yearly, to say nothing of jiaying for thf labor and other lielp they employ. 'l"he 
item they pay the woodsmen for staves and hoops, which are utilized in their cooperage, 
is enormous of itself. 

On the 4th of November, 1843, Thomas Dade Luckett was born in Jefferson 
county, Kentucky, and was the tenth of a family of thirteen children. His father, 
A. P. Luckett, was a native of old Virginia, but located in Kentucky when that State 
was quite young. He died in Missouri, and his 
widow died in Texas. Our Thomas D. Lucketi 
spent his youngest days in Missouri, but returned 
to Kentucky at the age of fifteen. He engaged as 
a drug clerk at Owensboro in i860, but two years 
later he enlisted in Company C, Third Kentuck; 
Cavalry, and was attached to General John H 
Morgan's command. He was made a prisoner of 
war in 1863, and boarded at Camp Douglas, Illi 
nois, for eighteen months, at the end of which 
time he was e.xchanged and again resumed his placi 
with his command. Mr. Luckett had also at om 
time seven brothers in the late war. His brothei 
Robert was killed at Stone River, and William was 
wounded at Vicksburg, and afterwards died in thi 
hospital, and L. D. Luckett was killed at Perryvilli 
in 1862. After the war he took charge of the 

tobacco factory of Kerr, Clark & Co., at Eddyville, Kentucky, and remained with 
that firm eight years. In 1875 he located at Clarksville and formed a partnership with 
M. H. and L. R. Clark in the general tobacco business, since which time he has been 
very successful. In 1869 Mr. Luckett was married to Miss Maria Gr.icey, a sister of 
Messrs. Frank P. and Matt Gracey, and Mary S., Gracey H. and Robbie Luckett are 
their children. Mr. Luckett and wife are both members of the Episcopal Church, and 
he at one time was a member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermcii of this city. He 
is a man of unlimited energy, and is of a disposition to make friends of all strangers 
with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Luckett has the management of the Clarksville 
factory, and after a long career at the helm of its affairs, has i)roved himself to be one 
of the best managers of the kind in this surrounding country. His mistakes in business 
have been few and far between, and when the question of "how to handle the weed" 
is considered, he his acknowledged to be a man that knows all about it from the plan- 
tation to the consumers across the big waters. 

M. H. Clark & Bro. 

This enterprising and popular firm of tobacco brokers was established in Clarks- 
ville in 1855, and is still occupying its original office, but has gone through two changes 
of firm style. It was first M. H. Clark, and was known that way until 1858, when 




342 
the name Clark & Barker adorned the office sign. This style existed until 1866, when 
by limitation it was dissolved, and Mr. E. Walton Barker engaged in tobacco planting, 
which made room for Mr. Lewis R. Clark to become the partner of his brother, 
Micajah H. Clark. The year 1855 was a lucky starting time for the then new tobac- 
conist, for the crop in the Clarksville district was one of the finest ever known, and 
the profits derived from trading in the weed were enormous, besides the product gave 
this section of country a prestige that it has held and improved upon ever since. 
Prospering as it did, the firm had reason to push and work with more earnestness than 
ever the ne.xt succeeding years, until finally it reached an enviable standing financially 
and otherwise, since which time it has been progressive and amply able to take care of 
itself. As tobacco brokers. M. H. Clark & Bro. buy and handle an average of eight 
thousand hogsheads of tobacco yearly for parties beyond the Atlantic. They have on 
.several occasions bought as many as ten thousand hogsheads a year, and again as low 
as five thousand. It was the first firm of tobacco brokers established at Clarksville, 
but since these brothers began that business many more leading lights in the tobacco 
trade have become brokers, until to-day a majority of the buyers on the Clarksville 
Tobacco Board of Trade are active brokers in tobacco. The senior member of this 
firm was the first person to suggest the erection of the new Tobacco Exchange build- 
ing, and it was through his energy and determined desire to erect a business monument 
to the city that made the enterprise the grand success it is to-day. The firm is credited 
with being the instigators of the present exchange system of selling tobacco, and, in fact, 
the Clark brothers are acknowledged to be men of rare merit who have done unlimited 
good in establishing the great trade in tobacco that Clarksville now enjoys. The firm 
owns a large factory and warehouse territory, including the Elephant Warehouse, which 
it bought two years ago, for further particulars of which the reader is referred to the 
sketch of the firm of T. 1). Luckett & Co., elsewhere in this book. 

Micajah H. Clark, the subject of this sketch, and his brother, Lewis R. Clark, 
were born at Richmond, Va., and are sons of Dr. Micajah Clark, who was one of the 
most fimous physicians the old Dominion ever claimed. The disciples of Esculapius in 
\'irgini;i have the name of Dr. Micajah Clark inscribed upon their perpetual banner 
of fame, and it will never be erased or placed in obscurity. Of this grand old gentle- 
man a biographer who existed some years ago says: Micajah Clark, M. I)., of Rich- 
mond, Va., was born on his father's plantation in Albemarle county, near Keswick, 
January 28th, 1788, and died in Richmond, August 19th, 1849. His father was Wm. 
Cl.trk, and his mother was a daughter of Colonel Tarleton Cheadle, an officer of the 
English army, who settled in Virginia before the war of the Revolution. Dr. Clark 
was named for his ])aternal grandfather, Micajah Clark, who was a pioneer of Albe- 
marle t ount\-, as he purchased forty thousand acres of land there which is still known 
on on the map of that county as "Clark's tract." From this old pioneer a family of 
t'.\ eU e children, who lived to be men and women, eminated. Dr. Micajah Clark's family 
l)r()diued soldiers, governors, legislators, and men of many professions, who gained 
fame during the i)eriods in which the}' lived. .Vmong them were Ceneral George 




343 
Roger Clark, the corKiueror of the Northwest Territory ; Governor William Clark, of 
Missouri, and Merriweather Lewis, who under President Jefferson's administration 
made a successful expedition to the Rocky Mountains and return. During the Revo- 
lutionary war several members of this family of Clarks distinguished themselves as 
soldiers and statesmen in Kentucky, Missouri, Texas 
and other States of the South. In the late civil 
war on the Confederate side. Generals John B. and 
M. L. Clark, of Missouri, and General James Clark 
Dearing, of Virginia, were conspicuous. Dr. Mica- 
jah Clark, of Virginia, began the study of medicine 
at Richmond under Dr. Adams, a very learned 
physician, and after the customary preliminaries 
entered the University of Pennsylvania at Philadel- 
phia, where he became an ofifice student of the re- 
nowned Dr. Physick, then at the apex of his fame. 
Dr. Physick soon discovered the talents and ardent 
love of young Clark for the jjrofession, and before 
the latter graduated spoke of him as one destined 
to make a mark of distinction, should he live to 
become a practitioner. Dr. Clark graduated April 
nth, 1811. After this he took a horseback trip 
through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, C onnci ticut md Massa- 
chusetts. On his return to Richmond he again mounted his horse for New Orleans, 
where he expected to make his future home. He left his native heath August 25th, 

181 1, and rode into Kentucky and Tennessee, making a zig-zag route in order to see 
the country. He then passed into what is now the States of Alabama and Mississip])i ; 
but this scope of country was then known as the Indian Nation. He then turned his 
course and came west, striking the Mississippi River at Natchez, at which place 
he sold his horse and left there by steamer, arriving at New Orleans January 12th, 

1812. He kept a daily record of events that occurred during this romantic journey, 
and this afterwards was found to be of great interest by his family and friends. Dr. 
Clark failed to become enthused with New Orleans for various reasons, particularly the 
climate, so he returned to Virginia by way of New York, reaching Albemarle June 
25th, 1812. He finally settled permanently at Richmond, and there he scored the 
great success of his life, as he earned from thirteen to sixteen thousand dollars per year 
at the rate of one dollar per visit as a physician, and a name that was known the world 
over. During the war of 1812 he was appointed surgeon in the army, and served two 
enlistments at Cran'ey Island. December 29th, r8i9, he married Miss Caroline Vir- 
ginia Harris, his .second cousin, who was the eldest daughter of Benjamin J. Harris, a 
prominent tobacco merchant of Richmond. His children were William J., Sarah 
Ellyson, Mary E., Micajah Henry, Caroline Virginia, Ellen D., Henry A., Lewis R., 
David B. , Emily A., and six others who died in infancy unnamed. His widow sur- 



344 
\i\x'd him until February lytii, 1871. The great-grandfather of M. H. and L. R. 
C'lark was JMicajah Clark, born September i6th, 1718, and who was a great friend of 
President Jefferson. Micajah Henry Clark, of Clarksville, arrived here in January, 
1855, and soon afterwards entered the business arena of the city as a tobacco buyer 
and handler. Mr. Clark was chief and confidential clerk of Jefferson Davis during the 
reign of the Confederate Government, and the last acting Treasurer of the Confed- 
eracy. He was in the trenches around Richmond and helped to repel the celebrated 
Dahlgreen raid into that city. He was afterwards made a staff officer with the rank of 
Captain, and performed his last duties to the Confederacy in November, 1865. In 
1 86 1 Mr. Clark married Miss Elizabeth W. Kerr, daughter of M. M. Kerr, of Clarks- 
ville, and two children are the fruits of the union, a son and daughter. The former, 
Mr. Morris K. Clark, is now associated with his father in business. Morris K. Clark 
on the 26th of April, 1887, was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Barker, one of the 
twin daughters of Mr. Chiles T. Barker, of Christian county, Ky. 

Lewis Rogers Clark, the eighth child of Dr. Micajah Clark, of Richmond, Va., 
came to Clarksville in November, 1857, and entered the tobacco business, which he 

succeeded in untill the war broke out, when he 
joined Company A, Forty-Ninth Tennessee In- 
fantry, being of the rank of a high private. He 
was captured at Fort Donelson, and went to Camp 
Douglass; was exchanged and elected junior Cap- 
tain in the Tenth Tennessee Regiment. At Chick- 
amauga this regiment took in three hundred and 
twenty-five guns and lost two hundred and twenty- 
four men. Out of the eight of the ten Captains 
tliat went into this engagement only two came out 
unhurt, and Captain Clark was one of the lucky 
ones. His clothing was pierced in many places, 
and he was afterwards wounded at the engagement 
at [onesboro, Ga. At the consolidation of the 
remnants of several Tennessee commands, Captain 
Clark was made Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment 
thus formed, but did not accept the honor con- 
ferred. He surrendered with Johnston's army at Greensboro, N. C, and returned to 
this city, rejoining his brother in the tobacco business, and now represents the firm at 
Hopkinsville, but resides at Clarksville. He is a great success as a business man. 
which fact of itself speaks well of his worth as a citizen. 

B. K. C;oLD. 

Benjamin K. (lold, a prominent tobacco broker of Clarksville, was born December 
-Mst, 1837, son of John and Sarah (Collins) Gold. His parents were natives of Vir- 
•rinia, but many years ago came to Montgomery county and settled for life. Mr. Gold 





345 
spent his early boyhood days in the common country schools, but eventually received 
n practical business education at Stewart College. After leaving college he accepted a 
( lerkship in a wholesale grocery house in New Providence. This he purchased 
and conducted for himself later on. He added 
the purchase of tobacco to his business, and got 
alimg admirably until the breaking out of the war, 
when he was compelled to quit groceries, but he 
went aheail with his tobacco business until 18O2, 
when he removed to Louisville. He remained in 
that city for four years, running a re-handling house, 
buying and shipping tobacco. In 1867 he returned 
to New Providence and erected a large tobacco 
factory, which he operated successfully tor a num- 
ber of years, but he finally sold out and commenced 
business as a tobacco broker. This has proved ic 
be his greatest success, as he is noa rated as one 
of the most e.xtensive buyers on the Clarksville 
board. In i860 he married Mary J. Oldham, who 
was born in this county in 1841, and five children 
are the fruits of the union, Clarence C)., Ora I.., 

Mamie, James K., and Benjamin H. Mr. (iold is of a liberal, kind-hearted dispo- 
sition, with deep inclinations to alleviate the sufferings of the hum.an famil)- whenex er 
()])l)ortunity affords. Clarksville and the surrounding country is exceedingly proud 
of him as a citizen. 

Lkwis T. Goi.i). 

Lewis 'r. Gold is another of Clarksville's successful business men, who is at present 
engaged as a leaf broker. He is a son of John and Sarah (Collins) Gold, born Decem- 
ber 15th. 1 84 1, in Montgomery county. He received his primary education in a log 
school-house, and at the age of sixteen commenced clerking 
tor Gold & Co., grocers, at New Providence, where he re- 
mained two years. When the tocsin of war revibrated over 
the land in 1861, he donned a suit of grey clothes and enlisted 
in Company L, Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment. Early in 
1862 he was attacked with disease and sent to the hospital, 
but becoming worse and unfit for active duty, came home 
home on furlough. During the latter part of 1862 he was 
transferred to Company A, Forty-Ninth Tennessee Infantry, 
and with this command he remained in the Confederate ser- 
vice until the close of the war. The big struggle over, Mr. 
Gold returned to Clarksville, remaining a short time, when 
he went to Louisville and engaged in the tobacco business. Here he remained a year 




346 
or two, when he returned and began business at New Providence as a tobacco buyer 
and re-handler. Later he conducted the tobacco warehouse business, which lasted 
until 1874, when he again began dealing in leaf tobacco as a broker, and now he is 
one of the most extensive buyers on the Clarksville board. He is a thorough and 
practical business man, and as popular among the citizens of Clarksville as a man could 
well be. He married Miss Sallie G. Pettus, of New Providence, in 1873, the result 
of the union being two children, Mattie P. and Stephen. 
Ri.Ki'HANT Warehouse. 

The Elc])hant Tobacco Warehouse, located on the corner of Front and Commerce 
streets, has a most remarkable history as a tobacco mart, and in anti-bellum days was 
the scene of many stirring commercial events. The original building, erected in 1855 
by Forbes & Pritchett, to be utilized as a stemmery, is the four story portion that is 
now the front part of the warehouse. It was used as a stemmery until 1859, when 
Howell, Blackman & Co. rented it, and after making additions to the rear of the origi- 
nal building, this firm conducted the tobacco commission business successfully in it for 





Tofurto'ui 1 11 

mm ^ 



r 



KLKPHANT W AKF.HOUSK. 

several years (probably u]) to 1862, when the prospects for prolonging the war pro- 
duced a depression in all kinds of business), after which, by consent of all parties 
interested, the firm dissolved. Later on, and soon after the fall of Fort Donelson, the 
ITnited States soldiers took possession of the building and occupied it for some months. 
During the year 1866, Harrison & Shelby ran the house as tobacco commission mer- 
chants, and this firm was succeeded in 1867 by Turnley & Weathers in the same line 
of business. This firm was succeeded in 1868 by Turnley & Wooldridge in the tobacco 
commission business, and it was during that year that Robert Wooldridge gave the 
house the iianu- "Elephant Warehouse." In 1869 the house was sold by its original 
owners, and W. H. Turnley, W. J. Ely and T. H. Puryear became the purchasers, 



347 
;iTi(l after forming a roi)artnershii) under the firm name of Turnley, Ely & Co., con- 
ducted a very successful business for the two succeeding years, when Mr. Puryear sold 
his interest to W. I). Merriwcather, hut the firm style remained the same. This new 
firm continued the business until the Fall of 1876, when Mr. Meriwether sold his 
interest to James T. Kennedy, and then the style of the firm became Turnley, Ely & 
Kennedy, who continued until the Fall of 1881, when Mr. Turnley sold his interest to 
El\' & Kennedy, who conducted the Elephant Warehouse for three years, when ihc 
IKirliiership closed and the |)roperty was ]nir( hased by M. H. ('lark iV- liro., uiid 
rcntc'd it for one yc.ir U) Parish, liui kner iV Co., sin< c which time M. H. Clark \- Hro. 
ha\c been utili/.ing it for a tobacco storage warehouse. During all these many years 
and firm changes this old landmark has been ajjopular resort for tobacco growers 
from every part of the tobacco region. If the old walls could talk, they would reveal 
mail)- exciting transactions in tobacco that have long since been forgotten, for the 
money that has changed hands inside their < onfines would aggegate many millions of 
(liillars. Previous to the erection of what is now known as the Elephant Warehouse, 
the site upon which it is located was oci Li|jied by a pork house, which was destroyed 
by fire in the early fifties. 

Kl-NhklCK, 1*1; 11 us (.V C'l). 

This is one of the most e.xtensive and substantial firms in this city. It owns and 
operates the Central Warehouse, for the storage and sale of tobacco, and the Central 
Roller Mills, the total area covered by this firm's buildings being between four and 
ri\e a( res. J. C^. Kendrick, John H. Pettus, George S. Irwin and J. W. Shaw, com- 
pose the firm's make up in the tobacco trade, and as each gentleman is full of energy, 
the combination drives a very lively business. The two warehouses operated by this 
firm has storage capacity for six thousand hogsheads of tobacco, and as the firm is so 
well established in the public confidence, it enjoys its full share of business annually. 
The new warehouse of Kendrick, Pettus & Co. is eighty by four hundred feet in the 
clear, and extends from Main to College streets. The old warehouse covers just an 
acre of ground, is two stories in front, and faces the river. The firm owns and inc ludcs 
the old Prouty place, near and u])f)n which are Itxated the mill, office, stables, sheds, 
etc., necessary to the extensive industries 1 tjiidut ted by it. The " I'routy place" is an 
historic site in Clarksville. The ancient house once upon it is supposed to have Ijccn 
erected by .Xndrew Vance and John Dick about 1830, and the portion on Main street 
was of brick and stone, while the rear was built of w(K)d. Vance & Dick for many 
years were the leading tobacco shijjpers of Clarksville, as they began business in 1820, 
when there were but two steainboats navigating Cumberland River. It was through 
this firm that steamboats were induced to take th5 place of the old time flat-boat, with 
its sweeping oars and slow floating movement. In the days of Vance & Dick, all 
tobacco shipped from Clarksville and vicinity went to New Orleans, where it was either 
sold or re-shipped to foreign markets by ocean vessels. All steamboats then navigating 
the Cumberland were under control of Vance & Dick, whc shipped the majority of the 



348 
crops raised in this locality as indicated above. This continued for some twenty or 
more years, but upon the death of Mr. Dick at New Orleans the business changed 
somewhat. The Prouty house was erected to be used as a grocery store, and for the 
storage of tobacco, grain and other produce to be shipped by steamers to other parts 
of the country. Mr. Vance conducted the business here, while Mr. Dick lived at 
New Orleans and managed an extensive commission business, handling everything that 
went to that city from the Cumberland Valley. The first inspection of tobacco that 
ever took place in Clarksville occurred in the rear shed of this old house in the Spring 
of 1842, under the enterprising management of Vance & Dick. The inspectors were 
William B. Collins, John Roberts, William R. Lee and John Keesee. There were but 
very few hogsheads sold under inspection that year, and for the two years following. 
.Speculators were shy of it. Stemmers and flat-boaters were enemies to the system, 
fearing it would damage their interests. In the meanwhile commercial misfortune 




01, n CENTRAL W.AREHOUSE. 

overtook the house, crippling the business. Those were days of long credit and wild- 
cat banks; business houses were sustained by a credit system, endorsing for each other. 
The failure of a bank, or of one of the firms in the combination, would involve all in 
trouble if not in utter ruin. The firm was dissolved about 1843 by the death of Mr. 
Dick, and perhaps Mr. Vance. The house was operated one year by S. S. Williams 
and Richard Barker, under the firm style of S. S. Williams & Co, Mr. Williams was 
extensively known, he having been the chief clerk for Vance & Dick. Very little 
tobacco was sold by inspection during the years 1842, '43 and '44. Witherspoon & Co. 
succeeded to the house in 1845, ^^1*^ ^^^^ Y^^^ ^^^ inspection increased to nine hundred 
hogsheads. The inspectors elected that year were A. D. Witherspoon, W. R. Lee, 
H. H. Smith and Benj. Orgain. Mr. Orgain failed to qualify, and John Roberts took 
his place. In 1846 the firm of Beaumont, Payne & Co. succeeded Witherspoon & Co. 
Henry F. Beaumont, J. R. Payne and R. Browder made up the new firm, which 



349 
operated the house until 1848, when S. Albert Sawyer succeeded and ran it until 1850. 
when he was succeeded by Trice & Barker. After this came Barker & Dieffendorfer, 
who in 1854 sold out to Smith & Seat, but before the latter took possession, the house 
and surroundings were destroyed by fire. The stout brick walls were, however, left 
standing, and Smith & Seat rebuilt the house in its present form and size, covering an 
acre of ground. This was a very popular firm, and it operatd the house until i860, 
when its interests were purchased by Joseph P. Williams, who died soon after, and the 
house stood idle until after the war, and the splendid business of the old locality was 
broken down and destroyed by the circumstances that followed, and at last the property 
was sold at a sacrifice, James E. Bailey and Matt Anderson becoming the purchasers, 
and who soon after sold it to Samuel B. Seat and R. P. Bowling. Seat & Bowling ran 
it one year, and were succeeded by Bowling & Kirby, afterwards Bowling & Thomas, 
who operated it one year, and then J. J. McWherter became the owner. He sold it to 
J. C. Kendrick, J. H. Pettus and W. P. Hambaugh in 1876. It was then named " Cen- 
tral Warehouse," and operated under the firm style of Kendrick, Hambaugh & Co. In 
1878 Mr. Hambaugh sold his interest to John H. Pettus, and George S. Irwin became 
the third partner in the house, since which time no change has been made in the firm's 
affairs except the admission of John W. Shaw as a partner in the warehouse business 
alone. The warehouse has grown in business from four thousand hogsheads the first 
year to ten thousand in 1887. The firm possesses large capital of its own for operating 
in tobacco, and enjoys the universal confidence of everybody tor just and honorable 
dealings with its customers. It has an unlimited credit for all the capital wanted in its 
business for handling the country products. It requires a large force of experienced 
men to conduct the extensive business, besides the laborers on the warehouse force. 
'Ihey have engaged regularly, in the management of the tobacco houses, Captain Tom 
Mallory, auctioneer; clerks and floor managers, Messrs. William Dority, Lawrence 
Gold, Ambrose Gold, James C. Trice, Robert Rudolph, ("live Wilcox, and Putnam 
Wilcox. The annual business of the house is from one and one-half to two millions of 
dollars. 

Connected with this property is included the Central Roller Mills and grain busi- 
ness. When Smith & Seat bought the property in 1854, the purchase included all the 
land between Main and College streets, fronting the river, and there were three com- 
panies organized; C. H. Smith and S. B. Seat operated the tobacco house, corner of 
Main and Front streets; John K. Smith & Co. built and operated the pork house, 
corner of College and Front streets, and Seat, Kropp & Co. built the City Mills, 
now Central Roller Mills. This firm was composed of Samuel B. Seat, Christopher 
Kropp, C. H. Sm;th and Robert Graham. It was at that time a very fine mill, one of 
the best in the country, and was skillfully managed, thereby making a great deal 
of money up to the death of Mr. Kropp in 1876. After this the mill remained idle 
(or some time and depreciated in value, but eventually Merriweather & Gilmer bought 
it, put in new machinery, and operated it one year very successfully, making about 
thirty thousand dollars in milling and wheat speculations. The second year proved 



35° 
very disasterous for tlu'in. niul they lost fvcrythliif; iIh'\ 1i;u1. Ii 
into the hands of Kciuhi( k, I'cltus & Co., who fillid il n|) uiih ii 
the ca|)acity of whicli is one 
hundred and fifty barrels of flour 
everv twenlv four hours, il also 
has a ri^rn mill atlai huu-ul. I'p 
to this liuir llu- mill has had 
one \er\ |ir(is|K thus se.ison. its 
lirands lakini; ihe fnst place in 
the market, one fum liandlinL; 
o\er ten thousand bairels v 
out a siiiLjle ( (implaint. Mi 
15. Whitfield is ei)L;,if;ed to si 
perintend the niilliiii; luisiue^ 
and the |iui( hase of j^rain. an 
he is assisti'd in the mil! I)\ 
Mr. H. ]']. .\ndre\vs. John K. 
Smith & Co. eontinuetl the jtork "tm 
packing business until 1859, when the\- sold luit I 
and they in time sold out to ( ). W. Thomas ..V Co.. 
the pork house one se.ison, and alter the war broke 
took charge of and operated il until after the fall of 1 



1SS5 the mill fell 
ipr(ued inachiner\ . 




I Ull.iws \: Co., of New Orleans, 
of Louisville, Ky. This firm ran 
)ul the Confederate Covernment 
irt Donelson. The property nou 



vailini; a leiiant to utilize it in tlu 



belongs to Mr. lit yce Stewart, but is King idle 
future. 

Montgomery counl\' w.is blessed on the mcirning of January 17th, US45, with the 
birth of a new < iti/en, who has since been known as James C. Kendriek, and the event 
(iccurred near l.afayelti', K\. His parents were lames and Sarah (Smith) Kendriek. 
The fither, a nati\e of N'irginia, and the maternal parent a North Carolinian. This 
couple arri\ed in Montgomery county about 1820, and 
pro\ed themselves thrifty, intelligent, enterprising people. 
rhe\ exercised a good influence over society in the early 
days, and made the name of Kendriek one of the best in 
the land. James C. Kendriek received his primary educa- 
liciii in a country school, but finally went through the course 
and graduated at Center College, at I)an\ille, Ky. College 
over, Mr. Kendriek began life as a farmer, which he 
followed closely until 1872, when he engaged in the tobacco 
warehouse business at New Providence. Three years later 
a copartnership was arranged between Mr. Kendriek and 
John H. Pettus. and the firm thus made opened the Central 
Warehouse at New Providence, w hich the\ managed successfully until 1876. Even- 
tually Mr. Kendriek, J. 11. Pettus ami W. P. Hambaugh bought the Central Warehouse 




«^--.,g 



351 
in Clarksvillf. Mr. Kendrick is a modest, unassuming gentleman, generous and piiblic- 
s|)irited, yet positive in his business relations. He is graded as one of Clarksville's 
most influential citizens, and is very popular in commercial and social circles. He is 
an excellent warehouse manager, as is attested to by the extensive business his house 
does annually. Mr. Kendrick was married October 25th, 1869, to Miss Hattie Donoho, 
an accomplished daughter of Dr. J. T. Donoho, who was an eminent physician of 
Clarksville. A very interesting family was the result of this marriage, as six children 
were born. The elde.st was Charles B., then Harriett B., Maude B., James, Sarah and 
Terry. In 1886 Charles was accidentally shot in the foot, and this terminated in 
blood poisoning, from the effects of which he died in October of that year. This little 
hero was a great favorite in Clarksville, and during his long and terrible ordeal of 
suffering, was cheerful, bright and fully resigned to his fate, finally passing away like 
the Christian boy he was in life. Mr. Kendrick's home out Greenwood avenue is one 
of the prettiest in the county, being possessed of every comfort to make it pleasant and 
convenient. Himself and wife worship with the Presbyterians, and are close attendants 
upon their religious duties. 

John H. I'ettus was liorn at "Old Kentucky Landing," on Cumberland River, 
December 3r(l, 1843, ■•"^1 his parents were Thomas F. and Martha (Cowherd) Pettus, 
a sketch of whose lives appears on page 155 of this 
work. John H. Pettus received a limited educa- 
tion in a common country school, and began l)usi- 
ness ;U the early age of fifteen years as a clerk for 
()liihar]i, Homer & Co., at Trice's Landing VVare- 
iiousc. He served that firm until the war broke 
out, when he joined Company A, of the Fourteenth 
']'ennes.see Infantry, and here he served the Con- 
federacy until the close of the war. In 1866 he 
engaged in the grocery business at New Providence 
and this he conducted successfully. In 1874 he 
began dealing in tobacco, and later on became a 
member of the firm of Kendrick, Pettus & Co. 
Mr. Pettus is a man of large liusiness capacity, 
strong intellect and high, honoralile princi])les. 
He is unobtrusive and generous in his nature, while 
he possesses a public spirit for the good of Clarks- 
\ille and her various institutions. On the 17th of May, 1867, he was married to 
Miss Mattie Canipbell, of Florence, Ala., and since then three children, Thomas F., 
.Anna C. and Mildred S., have been born to the tinion. Mr. Pettus has disposed of all 
his New Providence property, and now lives in his elegant residence at the corner of 
Second and College streets, which was comjjleted and occupied September 26th, 1887. 

John W. Shaw, who has recently become connected with the Central Warehouse, 
is a man of fine busine.ss capacity and high moral standing, with a successful business 









352 

experience. He was born in Cheatham county, Tennessee, January 23rd, 1828, the 
son of Thomas and Sarah (Binkley) Shaw, natives of Robertson county. He was 
Iirought u|) on the farm and educated in the country schools. He followed farming 
strictly up to 1857, when he engaged also in merchandizing at Thomasville, Cheatham 
county. In 1863, continuing his store and farm, he joined 
his brothers, B. F. and \V. A. Shaw, in th^ tobacco busi- 
ness, and soon earned a high character for neat handling 
and faithful prizing, and their tobaccos have always com- 
manded the highest figures on the market. They adopted 
a trade mark, the "Diamond .S," whi( h was always war- 
ranted to the buyer. The brand is simjjly a diamond 
mark with the S in the centre, and is still used by the 
house operated by B. F. Shaw. Mr. Shaw accumulated 
a handsome fortune in the business, and concluding that 
himself and wife would enjoy life, society and church 
advantages more in the city than country, he bought a 
one-fourth interest in the Central Warehouse in November, 1.S86, and moved to the 
city, still retaining his larm in Cheatham county. Mr. .Shaw was married October 25th, 
1877, to Mrs. Josephine Watkins, born June, 1834, daughter of J. B. Fizer, a native 
of Robertson county. They have no children. They are members of the Methodist 
Church and devoted Christian people. 

Ceorge S. Irwin, third partner of Kendrick, Fettus & Co., was born in Todd 
county, K\-., .August 23rd. 1854. son of F. (I. and Mary L. (Snadon) Irwin. His 
parents moved to Clarksville when he was quite a small boy, and they still occupy an 
elegant home on Madison street. He was raised in this city, and received a good col- 
legiate education, a graduate of Eastman's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, New 
York. In 1873 he began business as clerk in the grocery 
house of Walter McComb & Co., serving two years. In 
1875 he was induced to take a position in the large whole- 
sale gro( cr\ house of \\'heat & Chesney, Louisville, Ky. 
After one year he returned to Clarksville, taking the place 
of book-keeper and cashier for Kendrick, Pettus & Co., 
and soon after was admitted as a partner in the Central 
Warehouse. His grandfather, George Snadon, observed 
his financial talent and correct methods, and about 1880 
I)laced his large estate in George's hands, which was skill- 
fully managed up to Mr. Snadon's death. George's uni- 
form devotion and kind attention to his grandfather from 
his boyhood up won the old gentleman's affection, and his implicit confidence, which 
was not misplaced. When quite a small boy, George Irwin made a profession of 
religion, uniting with the Methodist Church, and from that on has sustained his religious 
resolution with scrupulous integrity. He is a cultivated gentleman, with pleasing man- 




ners and sociable nature in all things, and the highest type of a good and pure young 
man is illustrated in his attention and devotion to his mother and sisters. The niosi 
remarkable success has attended his business operations. Besides his interest in the 
warehouse business and Central Roller Mills, he owns property in Kansas City, Nash- 
ville and Birmingham, which is daily increasing in value. Mr. Irwin has gained his 
wealth this early in life by judicious investments and sales at the proper time. 

E. B. Whitfield is not a member of the firm, but has an important connection with 
the Central -Roller Mills and the large shqiping interest of the house. He is entrusted, 
as Superintendent, with the entire milling opera- 
tions and grain department. He is a fine judge of 
wheat, familiar with the markets, understands the 
shi]jping business, rates, etc., and is a remarkably 
actice. thoroughly trained business man, always 
ttirning u|) where his competitor least expects to 
see him. He is also Superintendent of the Clarks- 
ville and Paducah Packet Company, with a line of 
steamers operating in the Cumiierland. Edwin 
Bates Whitfield was born in Clarksville, January 
24th, 1856, the son of J. P. V. and Martha (Bates) 
Whitfield. He was educated in the city schools, 
and began business in April, 1871, as clerk in the 
office of (;. C. Breed, General Freight Agent of 
the Memphis, Clarksville & Louisville Railroad 
Company, in which position he gained a general 
knowledge of railroading and the freight business, 

and afterwards served a time in the office of the Chief Engineer of the Louisville and 
Nashville Railroad. In 1878 he became the agent of the Evensville & Terre Haute 
Railroad at Clarksville, leading a war on the Louisville & Nashville for reduced rates 
on tobacco. This was accomplished by steamboat connection with Evansville, and the 
rates on tobacco to New York was reduced from about seventy-two cents per hundred, 
to an average of thirty cent.5 during the season. The low rates attracted large lobac cu 
orders and greatly increased the receipts, which reached to about twenty-si.x thousand 
hogsheads that year, being one of the most prosperous seasons the market has ever 
experienced. Tobacco came from every source, and a great deal was hauled by wagons 
from Hopkinsville by the agents of the Louisville & Nashxille. The St. Louis & South- 
eastern Railroad, then in existence on its own hook, was also in the fight against the 
Louisville & Nashville, and this company put local rates up to keep the L. & N. out 
of Hopkinsville. The estimated saving to the tobacco interests by this war between 
the railroads that year, was one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Whitfield after this 
spent several years at Danville, Tenn., managing an extensive saw mill and lumber 
business. He is a man of general and varied information, and wonderful capacity. 
He is a valued citizen in society and a most useful man to the commercial interests of 




354 
Clarksville, heading the opposition to monopoly in every (]uarter. Mr. Whitfield was 
married in January, 1877, to Miss Alice Emma Roth, daughter of G. A. Roth, a lady 
of many personal charms and the most amiable character. They occupy a handsome 
cottage, home on Madison street, full of sunshine and happiness, made joyous by four 
bright little girls born to their union. Their names are Daisy, Rosa, Louise and Lil- 
lian. Mr. Whitfield and wife are members of the Episcopal Church. 
Shelby & Rudolph. 
Although comparatively young in the tobacco commission and storage business, the 
Bailey Warehouse, at the corner of Hiter and Commerce streets, has been doing a full 
share of the trade. It is owned and controlled by Shelby & Rudolph, two old time 
handlers of the ancient Indian plant, and its name is derived from Dr. C. W. Bailey, 
who owns the ground upon which it is located. This house was built in 1881 by Isaac 
H. Shelby, who ran it until the Fall of 1882 on his own hook, at which time Mr. Ru' 
dolph went in as a partner, and the firm has since been Shelby & Rudolph. The Bailey 
Warehouse is eighty by one hundred and fifty feet in the clear, and furnishes shelter for 
about four hundred hogsheads of tobacco. 

Isaac H. Shelby was born July 14th, 1823, and was raised in Montgomery county. 
His parents, Harvey and Rachel Shelby, were born in North Carolina, of Swiss-Irish 

descent, and they came to Tennessee at an early 
period of the State's history. The father died in 
1831, and the mother in 1885. When fifteen years 
old Isaac Shelby went to Charlotte, Tenn., where he 
lived for twelve years, and then he returned to 
Palmyra, Montgomery county. When the war 
broke out he entered the Confederate army, enlist- 
ing in Company B, Fourteenth Tennessee Infantry, 
and here he served two years. Since the war he 
has been a resident of Clarksville. In November, 
1866, he engaged in the tobacco warehouse business 
with A. B. Harrison, in the Clarksville Warehouse, 
which was then an old landmark, at the corner of' 
Front and Commerce streets. This warehouse was 
erected about 1855 by the late Hugh Dunlop, and 
used by him as a drying house for his stemmery 
until Harrison & Shelby took charge of the prem- 
ises, added extensive sheds, and converted it into the "Clarksville Warehouse," where 
they handled tobacco until the end of the year 1869. Harrison & Shelby then went 
to the Gracey House, and the old Clarksville laid idle for one year, after which it was 
utilized as a storage house by Keesee & Northington, but later M. B. Coleman used it 
as a rehandling house until 1886, when it was torn away and another old landmark 
passed into oblivion. Mr. Shelby also furnishes part of the history of what was once 
the "Rat Preof Warehouse," where he in times before the war transacted business 




355 
fre<iuently. This house was erected by W. S. McClure, and was located at the head 
of the wharf. It was built of brick, was comparatively small, but Mr. McCIure utilized 
it as a tobacco and produce warehouse and for transacting a general business in mer- 
chandise. The " Rat Proof" was a very popular place of resort for the tobacco buyers 
of its day, while in good water times on the Cumberland steamboatmen made it their 
headquarters when on shore at Clarksville. It was the scene of much bustle every week 
day, and large amounts of money changed hands beneath its roof. Although a small 
house, it is known that many thousand hogsheads of tobacco were inspected and sold 
during its long career as a business mart. On one occasion in the fifties, while an 
inspection of tobacco was being made in the second floor of this building, and at a time 
when quite a number of farmers were looking on, part of the floor gave way and par- 
cipitated humanity .ind tobacco hogsheads in a confused mass to the floor below. 
Several prominent persons had close calls for their lives, but the only person seriously 
hurt was Inspector S. F. Allen, who afterwards recovered ; but the only wonder at the 
time was that many persons were not killed outright. Shortly after this accident the 
old "Rat Proof" was torn away, and now its memories are all that is left to mark its 
career in the history of the tobacco warehouse business. Mr. Shelby remained at the 
Gracey House until he built the Bailey Warehouse in 1881. There is no better judge of 
tobacco than Mr. Shelby, and with his experience, energy and qualifications, he has 
been a great success financially, notwithstanding the fact that he has met with some 
heavy losses during his business career. He is a member of the Masonic order; but 
politically he is an "Independent." 

William H. Rudolph was born in District No. 11 of Montgomery county, October 
3rd, 1824, and is the eldest of six children born to his parents, Jacob and Martha 
Rudolph. His parents arrived in this county February 15th, 1803. William H. Ru- 
dolph was raised on a farm and only received a country school education. When 
twenty-two years old he purchased a farm and began hustling for himself, and upon a 
tract of one hundred and six acres he made quite a success, and finally owned two hun- 
dred and eighty acres of splendid tobacco land. In 1877 he sold his farm and came 
to Clarksville, where he engaged in the grocery business, which he also conducted suc- 
cessfully for three years, when on account of bad health he was forced to retire from 
that line of business. In November, 1882 he became the partner of Isaac H. Shelby 
in the Bailey \\'arehouse, where he has since remained. In 1846 he was married 
to Miss E. A. Lockert, and eight children have been born to the union: Mapheus M., 
Alice, Jacob W., David L., James T., Bettie, Mattie, and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Ru- 
dolph are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are very fond of their 
worship. 

R. H. Walkkr & Co. 

In November, 1886, R. H. Walker & Co. occupied their new and commodious 
tobacco warehouse at the corner of Spring and Washington streets, and named it the 
"Planter's," in honor of the men who till the soil to make the waxey and luxurious 



356 
plant that the "savage American brave" discovered in the days ol Pocahontas and 
other Big Indians. This house is seventy-two by one hundred and ninety-two feet in 
the clear, and has a capacity for storing seven hundred hogsheads. The firm is made 
up of R. H. Walker and John C. Hambaiigh, and their short career at C'larksville has 
been very successful and is still increasing. Both gentlemen are thorough judges of 
tobacco, and know all about handling the article from the field to the grinding process 
in the mouth. They came to Clarksville well fixed for business, and have succeeded 
in gaining the public confidence on every side. They are active, energetic, enterpris- 
ing and strictly honorable in their relations with everybody, and with the assistance of 
a competent clever corps of assistants in the warehouse, are richly deserving the busi- 
ness they control. Mr. Walker and Mr. H. O. Hambaugh were partners in the ware- 
house business at New Providence from 1879 to 1886, and in the Fall of the latter year 
they dissolved the firm, when a new one was formed which embraced R. H. Walker 
and J. C. Hambaugh, who as before stated began business at Clarksville in 1886. The 
warehouse they had at New Providence belongs to P. C. Hambaugh, and was built in 
1874. It was occupied by Kendrick & Pettus prior to R. H. Walker & Co.'s occu- 
pancy. 

John C. Hambaugh is the youngest son ot P. C. Hambaugh, ot New Providence, 
and was born at Ringgold on .\ugust 9th, 1863. He was educated partly in the ordi- 
nary country schools, but wound up by taking a thorough course under Prof. Shields, 
of Cottage Home College, Logan county, Ky. .At the age of twenty years, John C. 
Hambaugh started life in the grocery and general merchandise business at New Provi- 
dence, and although his father was amply able to have helped him financially, he, in 
order to cause the son to grasp the business idea in its 
reality, would not give or loan him money, so the subject 
of this sketch made his way by borrowing money from 
bank and paying interest at the rate of ten per cent., but 
with all this he got along finely and climbed the ladder of 
success, until to-day he is holding down the most exten- 
sive grocery in the county outside of Clarksville, and it is 
all his own. This business he began in 1884, and his 
success was noticed with great delight by his near relatives 
and intimate acquaintances ; and as he had been reared 
among the plant known as tobacco, and knew all about it. 
he was induced in 1886 to become a partner in the leaf 
tobacco and warehouse firm of R. H. Walker & Co., which exists both at Clarksville 
and New Providence, and Mr. Hambaugh attends to the New Providence end of the 
line. The warehouse there is sixty by two hundred feet in the clear, with a capacity 
for handling six hundred hogsheads yearly with ease. Mr. Hambaugh is a man with 
splendid business qualifications, and as he is yet a young man there can be no doubt 
about his future, provided he marries some lovely and accomplished ladv before he 
becomes an old bachelor. 





357 
R. H. Walker, senior member of the firm of R. H. Walker & Co., was born in 
Robertson county, Tennessee, March 9th, 1840, and is a son of John A. and Elizabeth 
(Bellamy) Walker, who came to this State years ago and 
settled in Robertson county, where the son was educated 
in a country school, and at the age of fifteen learned the 
coopers trade, and this he followed for many years. When 
the war broke out he dropped the adze, donned a suit of 
grey, and joined Captain Bidwell's Company, which after- 
wards was annexed to the Thirteenth Tennessee Infantry, 
where he served a year, but at the fall of Fort Donelson he 
was captured by the Federals and sent to Camp Butler, 
where he remained forty days, when he was exchanged and 
<aine home. In 1863 he came to Montgomery county and 
located at New Providence, following the cooper's trade 

until 1874, when he began dealing in tobacco. In 1868 he led to the hymenial altar 
Caroline Watts, and to this union were born Herschel, Alfon.so, Tracy, Prince and 
Hettie Walker, five fine, intelligent children. Mr. and Mrs. Walker afifiiliate with the 
Methodist Church, being devout members therof, and Mr. Walker is a substantial mem- 
ber of the Masonic order. 

M. B. Coleman. 
Located on Commerce street, between Front and First, is the large fire-proof leaf 
tobacco establishment of M. B. Coleman. The building, forty-two by one hundred 
and twenty feet in the clear, two stories high, is covered entirely with iron, and has a 
capacity for handling between three and five hundred hogsheads of the singular weed 
with ease. It is the most extensive exclusively leaf re- 
handling house in this part of the country, and in busy 
season keeps four presses constantly in motion. This 
house is entirely new, having been erected in 1886, and 
is considered a certainty against ordinary possibilities of 
fire. Melville B. Coleman was born in Montgomery 
county, November loth, 1845, ^'■^^ '* ^ ^°" '^^ ^^- ^- ^• 
Coleman, a prosperous and well to do farmer. His pri- 
mary education was received in a country school, but he 
completed a thorough course at Locust Grove College, 
Christian county, Ky. , after which he engaged in mer- 
chandising at New Providence and Clarksville for seven- 
teen years, and after this followed the vocation of a traveling salesman in dry goods 
and groceries; but bad health drove him off the toad, and he finally settled down to the 
tobacco business, which he began in the Spring of 1884, and has since continued. 
Thomas L. Harvie. 
Thomas L. Harvie, one of the most energetic tobacco men doing business in 
Clarksville, is a son of the late Thomas and Janet L. Harvie, and was born in Scot- 




358 
land, December 3 1 St, 1842. Both parents were pure Scots; were born in 1822 and 
died in 1852. Thomas L. Harvie arrived in the United States in 1867, and began a 
business career in dry goods, but later on worked over into groceries, and for one so 
young he met with encouraging success; but later on engaged in the tobacco business 
in Marshall county, Kentucky. After a residence of seven years in that ctunty he 
moved to Paducah, at which place he remained until 1877, when he located at Clarks- 
ville and engaged in the tobacco business with T. I). Luckett & Co., where he remained 
four years. In 1881 Mr. Harvie engaged in business on his own account, and has 
prospered finely in his tobacco enterpri.ses as well as otherwise since that time. What 
is now known as the stemmery of Mr. Thomas L. Harvie, stands upor the site of 
Proudfit's stemmery, which was erected about 1832 by J. H. Proudfit, one of the pio- 
neer tobacco buyers of Clarksville. Compared with the stemmeries of the present day, 
this old timer was a small one ; but owing to the continued increase of acreage put in 
by planters after the year 1832, Mr. Proudfit found it necessary to increase its capacity, 
which was done, but still the old and original building would not at this day be called 
an entensive one, yet then it was the largest at Clarksville. After many years of suc- 
cessful business at the old stand, Mr. Proudfit sold the property to Alexander B. Bar- 
rett, of Henderson, Ky., who l.y the way was an immensely wealthy man, and this 
gentleman placed Mr. \\-ili;am Jones in charge, and the latter bought tobacco, made 
strips and put up English leaf, which he shipped to Europe for Mr. Barrett's account. 
During Mr. Jones' career, and after several successful years, the old factory caught fire 
one night and was destroyed. This wound Mr. Jones' combination up with Mr. Bar- 
rett, and the latter formed a coalition with the late Hugh Dunlop, and a new factory 
was erected on the old one's site. Mr. Dunlop made a great success of the Clarksville 
house, while Mr. Barrett was engaged in the tobacco business on a very large scale at 
Henderson, and it was during Mr. Dunlop's early life with Mr. Barrett that the latter 
made his millions of dollars. The arrangement between Messrs. Barrett and Dunloj) 
e.xisted for many years, when at last Mr. Dunlop became the sole owner of the Clarks- 
ville stemmery, and during his career on his own account, made and lost several for- 
tunes; but when he died, in 1879. he left a comfortable share of this world's goods for 
the good of his famil)-. The stemmery was bought from the Dunlop estate by the late 
B. O. Keesee, and for a year or two was operated by him alone. Afterwards it was 
owned and operated by Keesee & Neblett, and still later tiholson & Moseley owned 
and run it for a few years, and in 1885 Mr. T. I.. Harvie, who now owns and controls 
it, took charge. Taking this old factory up one side and down the other, and con 
sidering the various fluctuations in tobacco since it was first built, it has been a great 
success for each and every individual that was ever associated with it. The original 
building which burned did not cause much of a loss, from the simple fact that it was 
quite an old affair and was not worth much. Mr. Harvie, its present owner, has made 
and is now making money under its old roof; and if every dollar that his been handed 
over to the planter, the laborer, and in slaver>- da>s to the negro owner, was computed, 
it would run up into the millions. In 1880 Mr. Harvie married Miss Marie Harvey! 



359 

and one son, Roy L. Harvie, is the fruit of the union. Mr. Harvie is a Presbyterian, 

while his wife is a member of the Christian Church. 

W. H. Crouch & Son. 
This active and driving firm of leaf tobacco brokers is composed of Mr. VV. H. 

Crouch, of Montgomery county, and his son Jack. Clarksville is their principal place 

of business, but they have a leaf handling house about eight miles out of the city, where 

they handle much of the tobacco they purchase direct from the planter. They are 

extensive tobacco raisers, and both give much attention to this branch of industry. The 

firm are members of the Tobacco Board of Trade at Clarksville, and carries the fullest 

confidence and esteem of all other members, while the public at large realize in them 

men of the most honorable principles. 

William H. Crouch, the senior member of the firm of W. H. Crouch & Son, was 

born in Tennessee, Deeember 12th, 1813, the youngest of three children of Hardin and 

Dorothea Crouch, who were natives of Virginia, of Eng- 
lish descent, and who died in 1845 and 1859 respectively. 

Hardin Crouch was a thrifty farmer in his day, and with 

his wife, came to Tennessee in the State's early period. 

William H. Crouch began farming early in life, making 

tobacco raising a specialty, while corn and other produce 

were considered side issues. Since 1837 he has been a 

dealer in tobacco as well as a raiser of it, and in all his 

pursuits has been successful. In 1846 he married Miss 

Margaret Rudolph, and to their union Dorothea A., Jack 

and Charles R. Crouch were born, and all are still living 

and well to do in life. Mr. Crouch owns and occupies a 

beautiful home on his farm near Clarksville, and both himself and wife are devout 

members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

Jack Crouch is the eldest son of William H. Crouch, and a partner in the tobacco 

firm of W. H. Crouch <& Son, and C. F. Jarrett & Co., Hopkinsville, having connected 
himself with the latter firm in 1886, and occupying the 
position of Clarksville buyer for that house. Jack was 
born in Montgomery county, at the old homestead, in 
August, 1852, and engaged in the tobacco business with 
his father in 1880. He is also largely engaged in farming, 
making a specialty of cultivating tobacco, while corn, 
wheat and other produce receives a good share of his 
attention. He is an active, industrious, honorable gentle- 
man, and is meeting with the most creditable success in 
his walks of life. He is very happily married; is blessed 
with one child, and warships with the Cumberland Pres- 
byterians, while Mrs. Crouch is a devoted desciple of the 
Wesleys. The given name, "Jack," by which Mr. Crouch is designated, is not an 





36o 
abreviated one, as he was christened that way, and that cognomen with him is genuine 
and not a nick-name. The owner of the name is proud of it, and his hundreds of 
friends, both in social and business circles, are ef|ually jiroud of him. 

An.^Ms, Ciii.L & Co. 

This spacious and commodious tobacco warehouse is located near the east end of 
Commerce street, not far from the parsenger depot of the Louisville & Nashville Rail- 
road, and is a pride of the city of Clarksville. It is owned and controlled by Adams, 
(;ill & Co.. which firm is composed of John Adams, B. F. Gill and R. D. Moseley. 
organized in September, 1886, and now doing a large and flourishing business. The 
firm began its active life November ist, 1886, and during the first year thereafter its 
receipts were five thousand two hundred hogsheads of tobacco, which is conceded to 
be a most remarkable success for new beginners, but the popularity, integrity and 
honesty of its members is what attracted the farmers and their business. There are 
engaged at the Clarkswille Warehouse, \Vm. H. Turnley, salesman; Edwin P. Turnley, 
book-keeper, and Major Robert Hicks, Matt Dunlop and Louis Diffendorfifer, who 
look over the general inside workings of its affairs. This warehouse has a capacity for 
storing four thousand hogsheads, with plenty of ground adjac ent to make additional 
room for ten thousand hogsheads of the juicy produ(e. 

John Adams was born December 4th, 1838, in the north of Ireland, the son of 
George F. and Matilda (Moore) Adams, who emigrated to this country, landing in 
Clarksville June 20th, 1844. They settled in Logan county, Ky., and followed farm- 
ing three years and merchandising at Keysburg for ten years, and in 1857 moved to 
near Port Royal, Tenn., where they engaged in farming until 1884. John Adams was 
educated in country schools, and in June, 1854, entered his father's store as clerk, con- 
tinuing until 1857. He then went to Nashville in a wholesale house, and later one 
year in Clarksville with R. O. Dunning & Co. April 15th. 1861, he joined Colonel 
Tom Taylor's First Kentucky Confederate Infantry, serving one year in General 
Joseph E. Johnson's Division, when the regiment was disbanded, and he joined Mor 
gan's Cavalry as Brevet Second-Lieutenant, and was in all the battles of that gallant 
band, and was with General Morgan in all the raids and sanguinary struggles of that 
brigade within the enemy's lines, including the Ohio raid and the last raid into Kentucky, 
when he was captured at Cynthiana and imprisoned at Johnson's Island uj} to June. 
1865, and most fortunately escaped a single wound. In 1866 he engaged in merchan- 
dising at Port Royal, under the firm name of fleo. F. Adams &: Son, until Spring. 
1870, when he sold out to his father and moved to .Mlensville, Kentuckv, where he 
engaged in the same business, building uj) a lucrative trade. In 1879 his estab- 
lishment was burned out. but being covered by insurance for one-half, he at once built a 
magnificent storehouse of large capacity, but soon sold out, and after closing up his 
business there, moved to Clarksville in September, 1886, when the tobacco firm of 
Adams, Gill & Co., of the Clarksville Warehouse, was organized. Mr. Adams is a 
gentleman of high moral character and business integrity, and is possessed of splendid 



36i 

social qualities, is full of energy and enthusiasm, and has always been very successful 
in his business ventures. Mr. Adams was married November 27th, 1872, to Miss 
Mattie B. Hughes, daughter of W. B. and Mary E. (Browder) Hughes. They have 
one child, a lovely daughter, Edith, the joy of the household. Mr. Adams and wife 
are members of the Methodist Church, taking a prominent aiid leading part in church 
work. 

Benjamin Franklin Gill was born June 28th, 1839, in Logan county, Ky., the son 
of Felton D. and Cynthia (Watkins) Gill. He was raised on his father's farm, and 
partly educated in country schools, which was completed at Kentucky University, 
Harrodsburg. In 1861 he engaged with John W. Jones in merchandising at Port 
Royal, Tenn., for a short while, and since has been engaged in the tobacco business 
anil farming. In 1870 he moved to Montgomery county, living near Dunbar's Cave 
until 1 88 1, when he moved to Clarksville. Mr. Gill is one of the most energetic men 
in the < ounty. a man of splendid intellect, clear head, and large business capacity. He 
is never idle, and has by his energetic, persevering efforts accumulated a handsome 
fortune. Mr. Gill was married April 28th, 1870, to Miss Mary Yancey, daughter of 
Colonel Thomas L. Yancey, of Clarksville, a lady of culture, domestic habits and many 
personal charms. Si.\ children have been born to them, but only four survive, Bennie, 
Sallie, Felton D.. and B. F. Mr. Gill's house is an elegant brick residence on Frank- 
lin street. Mrs. (iill is a member of the Christian Church, and an ardent worker in 
the cause of Christianity. 

Robert Darvin Moseley was born November i8th, 1835, in Montgomery county, 
and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Frasier) Moseley. He was raised on a farm 
and educated in country schools. During the 
years 1861 to 1866, he engaged in merchandising 
at Henrietta, Cheatham county, and then engaged 
in farming and the tobacco business, and has since 
been more or less engaged in both. In 1874 he 
was elected County Trustee and Revenue Collect(jr, 
two successive terms, serving five years. In 1878 
he was elected County Court Clerk, and re-elected 
two successive terms, and holds that important 
otifice of honor and trust at this time. Mr. Mosele\ 
is a clear headed business man, very cautious in al 
he does, adopts and pursues only correct methods 
and has by his proitiptness and plain, straight 
forward course in all of his dealings with the people 
gained a powerful hold on the public, and no nTai 
exercises a greater influence in the county. Mr 
.Moseley has accumulated a large estate and occu 
pies a lovely home, corner of Madison and Eighth 
streets, a plat of six acres. He is a member of the orders of Odd Fellows and Knights 





362 

of Pythias. He has four children. Mrs. Lizzie (icrhart, Mrs. Lena Ragsdale, James 
Edwin, and Corinne. 

BiotH Bros. 

This enterprising firm, which was established in Clarksville in 1863, has recently 
occupied its new and commodious building on Franklin street, and is doing the leading 
traffic of the city in dry goods. The firm is composed of Leopold and Simon Bloch, 
whose pluck and energy was characterized just after the fire of 1887, that burned out 
a great space on Franklin street, part of which is the 
site of their new building. When the ruins of their 
old store were still hot, they purchased the building 
that had been occupied by the late Henry Freeh as a 
grocery, and this they fitted up and utilized for their 
business while their present building was being erected. 
The new structure, which was built after plans and 
specifications made by G. B. Wilson, the well known 
architect and builder of Clarksville, is forty by one 
hundred and seventy feet in the clear, and three stories 
high. It is an imposing structure, built of brick, stone 
and iron, with all the modern improvements known to 
the present day. It is heated by steam, and the exten- 
sive floor spaces are divided into departments for dry goods, notions, hats and caps, 
boots and shoes, etc., while the carpet display space is a novelty worthy of the inspec- 
tion of all who visit the house. It is on a sub-floor at the rear, where a perfect light is 
obtained, and the various articles offered for sale there can be inspected from the floor 
above to the greatest and best advantage. .Salesmen 
especially adapted to each department are properly 
located throughout the house, and the conveniences 
for public accommodation are thus made perfect and 
complete. The corps of salesmen employed by Bloch 
Brothers consist of Robert Mainhardt, B. M. Barks- 
dale, T. W. Averitt, James Tait, J. L. Lockert, Jerome 
Duncan, T. A. McDaniel, (i. A. Leigh, N. Gallizier 
(). S. Oppenheimer, and David S. Bloch, whose popu- 
larity and ability to please customers is a sure guarantee 
that all who deal with the firm will receive the most 
polite and honorable attention. The firms arrange- 
ments with many of the leading houses in the East are 
so perfected as to enable it to constantly be supplied with the freshe.st novelties and 
fashions et^ual to any store in the largest cities. This puts Clarksville away ahead of 
her rival cities in Tennessee, as her people are enabled to be up with the times at all 
seasons of the year, and consequently not sluggish as to current events and styles. 




363 

I.eopold and Simon Bloch were born in HohenzoIIern Hechingen, South Prussia, and 
arrived in America in 1852. They first went into business at Eddyville, Ky., carrying 
a small stock, but this during their brief career at that place increased. They moved 
to Dover, Tenn., and remained there until 1S63, when they came to Clarksville. Since 
their residence here, they have gained an enviable reputation for honorable dealings, 
and have been consecjuently successful in business. The senior of the firm, Leopold 
I'.loch, is Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Education, and Treasurer of Clarks- 
ville Lodge. No. 89, 01 the Masonic order; and has creditably served two terms in the 
I'.oard of Mayor and Aldermen. Sunon Bloch has never deviated frjiii his mercantile 
pursuits to any extent, but both gentlemen are regarded as leading, public spirited 
( itizens, who are ever ready to loan their helping hands to relieve the poor and dis- 
tressed of whatever color and creed the object may be possessed. Both are happils 
married, and their families live as one in their domestic relations. 

J.AMES P. CJll.i.. 

lames P. Gill, one of the most enterprising citizens of Clarksville, is the owner 
of the finest, best arranged and most comfortable livery stable in the city, and possibly 
in the State of Tennessee. This magnificent home for horses, located at the corner of 
Second and Main streets, is built of brick and stone, has a metallic root, and covers a 
territory one hundred by two hundred feet in the clear. It is ventilated thoroughl\- 
on all sides and overhead, has electric lights and plenty of hydrants throughout, and is 
kept scrupulously clean all the time. There are all told si.xty-nine roomy stalls, includ- 
ing six box-stalls, a large and comfortable mule pen, and elegant commodtties for feed 
of all kinds. There are six large double door places of egress, through vvhich, in case 
of fire, all animals and vehicles could easily be saved, no matter how much start it 
might have. The attractive front of this elegant stable has a ladies' sitting room, and 
a large office where gentlemen transact business, and these are finished in fat pine anil 
furnished elaliorately. Mr. (Jill constantly has a large collection of saddle and harness 
horses, hacks, buggies, "drummer'' wagons, and other conveniences for pleasure and 
business purposes, which are subject to the order of the public at all times. He deals 
largely in horse flesh, and owns some of the fleetest feet in this region of the country. 
He has a very fine half-mile track on his farm near Clarksville, where his corps of 
trainers are almost constantly engaged practicing and educating horses for various uses. 
The stable cost over seven thousand dollars, and was erected in 1886. Mr. Gill is 
well educated in his line of business, as he first engaged in it at Cadiz, Ky., in 1876, 
where he remained until 1881, when he came to this city and took charge of the old 
Kclipse Stable. Mr. Gill was born in Logan county, Ky., August 21st, 1850, being a 
son of J. F. and Mary E. (Gunn) Gill. He c'ompleted his education at Wesleyan 
L'niversity, Millersburg, Ky., in 187 1. He then taught school for awhile at Bell's 
Chapel, Ky., and in 1874 removed to Cadiz, Ky., where he engaged in the tobacco 
business for a year prior to going into the livery business, and in 1878 he was married 
to Miss Lizzie Chappel, daughter of J. W. Chappel, a prominent citizen of that town. 



364 

Joseph C. and Mary E. Cill arc their ihildren. Mrs. (Jill is a member of the Metho- 
dist congregation here. 

Samui I, H()i)(;soN. 

Mr. Samuel Hodgson, the widely known marble worker of Clarksville, was born 
in England, October 26th, 1830, and was brought to America by his mother in 1842, 
his father having died in England. Ten years of his early life was spent in Illinois 
and Indiana. In the meantime he obtained a good English education, and served an 
apprenticeship in marble sculpture, becoming an expert in his trade. .About 1852 he 
came to Clarksville, and with limited capital commenced business in a small way for 
himself. He soon bought the lot now occupied by the P'armers & Merchants National 
Bank, and his marble works extended from Franklin to Strawberry streets, fronting on 
Second street. Here he has pursued his chosen business with wonderful success up to 
the present day. Unless called away to some important work, he can always be found 
in his shop with chisel in hand, making himself one of the most useful men in the 
community. He is perhaps one of the largest monument and statuary dealers in the 
South, importing largely from Carrara, Italy, and fine Scotch granite from Glasgow 
and Aberdeen, Scotland, and handles all of the native marbles and granites. Most of 
the magnificent shafts and monuments that ornament Greenwood Cemetery are exhibi- 
tions of his taste and skill. The splendid monument to Governor Blount, of East 
Tennessee marble, is his design. In truth, four-fifths of the monumental work 
which ornaments this lovely city of the dead is from Hodgson's marble works, and at 
this writing he has under contract for this charmed spot three grand monuments worth 
$5,700. It keeps one or two men busy with nothing but lettering to meet his demand, 
his trade extending to all the towns of the surrounding 
counties and country ceineteries. Besides this, most 
of the fine stone and ornamental work in the handsome 
builnings about Clarksville testify to his skill and taste. 
One advantage the community has found in Mr. Hodg- 
son, in addition to elegant and substantial character of 
his work, is his successful competition in all rivalry, 
never allowing any one to undersell him in price. This 
has saved thousands of dollars to people ignorant of 
the relative value and durability of different varieties 
of stone, who would first consult him, and this fair and 
honest way of dealing with people whose tender sym- 
pathies are easily operated upon, has gained for him 
implicit public confidence and the almost undivided patronage of the country surround- 
ing. Mr. Hodgson has been economical in the management of his business, and by 
judicious investments has come to be one of the wealthy men of the city. He is the 
builder and owner of the European Hotel on Franklin street, the Farmers & Merchants 
National Bank building, Mrs. Hodgson & Maquires magnificent millinery establish- 




365 

ment, which is connected with the extensive family residence, the handsome book store 
occupied by Owen, Moore & Atkinson, the large grocery house occupied by C. M. 
Barker, an attractive cottage house on Second street and other property. All of these 
houses, with the exception of the cottage house, have been erected on the ruins of the 
1878 fire, in which he lost not less than $20,000. Mr. Hodgson was married in 1854 
to Miss Julia Kearney, and owes much to her splendid talent, energy and sound busi- 
ness judgment for his wonderful prosperity. .She is an extraordinary lady, managing 
her doniestir iiffairs with the greatest sinvili. ity. and the systematic control of her 
extensive and jtopular millinery estalilishnu-nt. Their union has been blessed with 
seven children, two daughters, who dietl in infancy, and five sons. 'I'he surviving 
ones are: Charles \V., .Samuel J., Frank '!'. , |es>e F. and Lee M. Charles married 
.•\lice, daughter of J. P. V. Whitfield, and is prosperously engaged with the Clarksville 
I.umlier Company. P'rank married l.ynnie, daughter of d. B. Wilson, and holds a 
trustworthy position in the Farmers & Merchants National Bank. -Sam works in the 
shop with his father and is master of the trade. The other two boys are young and 
have not yet completed their education, but are ecpially promising. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hodgson have cause for feeling proud of their boys. The family is divided in religious 
sentiment, worshiping with both the Methodists and Presbyterians. 

J. C. JclSKI>H. 

During the year 1869, Clarksville's po|)ulation was added to l)y the commg here 
to locate of the gentleman, merchant, and most worthy citizen whose name appears 
above. He is engaged in the clothing business, and is known in mercantile circles as 
the "Star Clothier." Mr. Joseph is a native of Cincinnati, at which city he spent his 
boyhood days, and it was there he received his primary education. His parents were 
Joseph and Rachel (Wolf) Joseph, who were natives of England. Joseph Joseph was 
a jeweler at Cincinnati from 1837 to 1873, and he died in that city during the latter 
year, but his widow still lives, and is a resident of Hamilton, O. At the age of ten 
years. ]. Ci. |ose|)h concluded to go to Indianapolis to live with an uncle, and while 
at that citv he received an education at the Northwestern Christian University, after 
which he look a thorough business course at a Commercial College in Indianapolis. 
After this he engaged in the clothing business with his uncle, and in i860 he opened a 
store on his own account at Indiana's capitol. From 1864 to 1869 he was a traveling 
salesman in the clothing line, but during the latter year located in the same business at 
Clarksville, where he has since remained and met with the most encouraging success. 
He is recognized as a pusher of many of Clarksville's enterprises, and was an organizer 
of the Franklin Bank, of which he is now a stockholder. Mr. Joseph is an active mem- 
ber of several societies, and a hard worker in eacli. He climbed the Masonic pole in 
Center Lodge, No. 23, of Indianapolis, in 1868, and is now a member of Royal Arch 
Chapter, of Clarksville, of which he was elected Secretary in 1882. In October, 1887, 
at Cincinnati, the various degrees were conferred upon, to entitle him to the rank ot 
the Scottish Rites, or Thisty-Second Degree in Masonry, thus making him the highest 



366 
ranked member of that order in Montgomery county. He was the first charter mem- 
ber of Cumberland Lodge, No. 17, Knights ot Pythias, and in .874 Chancellor Com- 
mander thereof. He is a charter member of Clarksvilie Division of the Uniform Rank 
of the order, and is now Com. Sergt. First Regiment, Tennessee U. R., and takes 
great interest in the success thereof He is also the first charter member of Abraham 
Lodge, No. 58. Independent Order B'nai Berith, at Indianapolis, and in 1866 was 
elected President of same. At the end of his first six months in Clarksvilie, he was 
elected as representative of Abraham Lodge to DLsirict Grand Lodge, No. 2, I. (). H. 
P... which met at Mem|)his. He is still an active member of all endowments of the 
order, and is an energetic mover for everything to enhance its cause. He is also a 
member of the order of --Wise Men," wearing the letters S. V. C. In 1872 Mr. 
Joseph married Miss Carrie Rexinger, a sister to ex Postmaster Samuel Rexinger, and 
three children have been born to them, Joseph. Ruby and Edith. Mr. Joseph has 
been honored with a commission as delegate to every Democratic .State Convention 
held ni Tennessee since 1870, and this prove, the fact that he is a succe.ssful political 
hustler when needed by his party. Following the fimily line, he is by inheritance a 
member of the Hebrew Church, yet by associations of late years is more liberal in his 
religious views than is common among people of his faith in larger cities. He is the 
only exclusive clothier in Clarksvslle, and his business is very large, while his dealings 
with his fellow men are of the most honoralile and liberal character. 

Rev. John- ]!. Shk..\rf,k. 

The eldest son of John A. and Ruth A. Shearer, citizens of Virginia, is Rc\ . John 
P.unyan Shearer, 1). D.. of Clarksvilie. This illustrious divine was born in the grand 
old commonwealth of Virginia. July 19th. 1832. He 
received his earliest education at Lhiion Academy, 
Appiimattox county, Va., under the instructions of 
distinguished educators, and at the age of sixteen was 
made assistant instructrr of Latin in the Academy. 
He entered the junior class at Hampdon Sidney College 
at the age of seventeen, and when nineteen years old 
graduated with honor under the Presidency of the late 
L. W. (;rcen. D. D. In 1854, at the age of twenty- 
twd, he recciveii the Master's Degree at the University 
(it Virginia: alter which he was married to Miss Lizzie 
(lessner, cif Prince Edward county, Va. During the 
years 1854-55. he was Principal of Kemper's High 
School, at (iordonsville. and in 1855 entered Union Theological Seminary, where in 
1858 he completed the required course. 1851 to 1858, every leisure hour was spent 
in private teaching, colportage, and later on in professional work. He was ordained a 
minister of (Jod's word, and installed as pastor at Chapel Hill, where the LTniversity of 
North Carolina is located, in 1858, by the Presbytery of Orange, North Carobna, and 




367 

he remained there until 1 862, when the civil war broke the University up. Afterwards he 
took charge of Spring Hill and Mount Carmel churches, and taught a private school in 
Halifax county, Va. In 1870, upon invitation of the Trustees of Stewart College, 
Dr. Shearer came here and accepted the Presidency thereof. The college was reopened 
under the most auspicious circumstances, and the result was as recorded on pages 49 to 52 
of this work. Or. Shearer's greatest success is his Bible teachings. He has studied the 
book of God all his life, and published outlines of results gained, in book form, entitled 
"Bible Course Syllabus," which is intended for his classes and others who may desire 
such a 'ourse. .\s a preacher, teacher, citizen and business man, he stands pre- 
eminent. He is ever ready and willing to assist the poor, defend the helpless, and to 
take the leatl in any and all charities that come to his notice from time to time. Richard 
B. Shearer, n lirother, was killed in battle in Maryland in 1863, and Rev. James W. 
Shearer, another brother, has charge of a Presbyterian church in Florida. There were 
four sons and two daughters born to the parents of Dr. Shearer. His mother died at 
the age of thirty-seven, but his father still lives at this writing. In summing up the life 
of Dr. Shearer, it is safe to say that no man existing on the American Continent has 
led a more useful life to society and mankind generally than he; and wherever he is 
known he is held in the highest esteem and confidence of his fellow man. 

N. V. Gkrhart. 

Nathaniel \'. (lerhart. the enterprising dry goods merchant, is the senior member 
of the firm of N. V. (ierhart & Sons, who do a thriving business on Franklin street, 
between First and Second. He is a live, wide awake citizen, and enjoys the fullest 
confidence of the Clarksville public. .Associated with him are Isaac P., Charles C, 
and Harry C. Ccrhart, and the commodious store they conduct is twenty-five by one 
hundred and ninety feet in the clear, and this is continually well stocked with the very 
freshest goods in the firm's line. Mr. N. V. Gerhart was born in Dauphin caunty, 
Pennsylvania, February 7th, 1827, and is a son of Rev. Isaac and Sarah V. (ierhart, 
being the youngest of five children. Rev. Isaac Gerhart was a native of Bucks county, 
Pennsylvania, and for fifty years was a member of the (ierman Reformed Church. 
N. V. (lerhart was educated at Gettysburg, Penn., and in 1853 located at Louisville, 
Ky., where he remained until 1873, when he came to Clarksville, where he has since 
lived and prospered in every way. While at Louisville he wedded Miss Ann Eliza 
Piemont, and to them were liorn Isaac P., Charles C, Joseph H., Ludia (now Mrs. 
Thomas Cross), Harry C. , and Bayless VV. (Gerhart. The family is an exceedingly 
happy one, and all are recognized as believers in the Episcopal doctrine of the Holy 
Writ except Mr. N. V. Gerhart, who is a Pre.sbyterian. 

Philip Liebf.r. 

Phili]j Lieber is one of the self-made men of the ])resent time, who by vigorous 
enterprise and energy has worked himself into a most lucrative business and comfortable 
fortune. He is a native of Bechtolshein, He.sse Darmstadt, Germany, where he was 



368 
horn February 9th, 1839, and with his parents he arrived in America in 1856, locating 
at Louisville, at which city his father, Moses Lieber, now resides, being eighty-three 
years old. When Philip Lieber arrived at the city of the Ohio Falls he had only fifty 
cents in his pocket, but he at onee procured employment, and managed to live there 

for fifteen years, during which time he 
branched out into the State of Kentucky 
and establis^hed stores at Hopkinsville, 
Franklin and Lebanon. These he ran very 
suctessfully until 1877, when he concen- 
trated his business and located permanently 
at Clarksville, where he opened out on a 
large scale, handling a general mixed stock 
of dry goods, notions, hats and caps, boots 
and shoes, etc., naming his handsome store 
the "Trade Palace." During the big fire 
of 1878 Mr. Lieber was burned out and 
sustained considerable loss, but Phtenix like 
he soon rose from the ashes and was ijuickly 
in the business arena again, with an im- 
proved stock and his present new store, 
wliii h is located at No. 49 Franklin street, 
and wears th»^ old name "Trade Palace."' 
This store is twenty-one by one hundred 
i and thirteen feet in the clear, stocked with 
I a well assorted line of goods from end to 
enil, and is operated by Albert Lieber, son 
111 Philip, \V. L. Fowlkes, CJeorge F. Fen- 
tress .mil Fred. Peck, a cor|)s of competent 
.mil accommodating clerks. Mr. Lieber by 
his straightfiirwaril and honorable course in 
business here has gained the fullest confi- 
dence of the people of Clarksville and the 
surrounding country, consequently he is a 
sun ess as a merchant and therefore content 
with life. Mrs. Lieber before her marriage was Miss Lottie Wiel, of Louisville, and 
her relatives there are people of the highest business and social standing. .Mr. and 
Mrs. Lieber are blessed with the following children ; Bella, Albert, Blanche, Mattie. 
.\lexander and Joseph. Mr. Lieber is a member of Cumberland Lodge, Knights of 
Pyihias, also of the Masonic and B'nai B'rith orders, and takes much pride and pleasure 
in the w orkings of these societies. He is ever wide awake to assist in public enter- 
prises where the good of Clarksville is interested, and is ever ready to help the cause 
of meritorious charity. 




369 

U'lLI.IA.M J. MacCciRMAC'. 

William J. MacC'ormac, one of the best known artists in the South, is now and has 
since 1855 been an energetic and enterprising citizen of Clarksville, where he owns and 
lontrols a large and prosperous photographic studio. From 1855 until the surrender 
of ^"ort Donelson, Mr. MacCormac was in the infancy of his chosen art; but after the 
Federal victory in the Cumberland Valley he secured a 
location in the topographical engineer corps of Sher- 
mans army, and while there made and saved considera- 
ble money. Mr. MacCormac was born at Edinburg, 
Scotland. July 5th. 183S. and is the eldest of two 
children born to John and Lydia MacCormac. Mr. 
MacCormac left his boyhood home before completing 
his education, and after a long siege of promiscuous 
wandering concluded to locate in Clarksville. In 1866 
he visited his old home in Scotland ff)r the third time 
sinie he first left it. but he returned to America again 
before the close of that year and located at Louisville, 
where he engaged in the wholesale grocery firm of 
MacCormac & Cullen. This business lasted only a short time, when the firm uent 
into the manufacture of boots and shoes on a large scale, but in 1870 Mr. MacCormac 
withdrew from business at the Falls City and returned to Clarksville, where he again 
engaged as a photograph artist, since which time he has been very successful. Mr. 
MacCormac studies of the art and science of his chosen profession, which e.xtends over 
large portions of Europe and America, enables him to be justly rated a master of the 
l>hotographic art. He is a member of the American Photographer's Association, which 
body has honored him with its Vice-Presidency, which he served one year with nnu h 
credit to his brotherhood and himself. Specimens of the excellenc)- and perfection of 
his work will be found in a great majority of the illustrations in this book, as he made 
the pictures from which the cuts were made. Mr. MacCormac is a member of the 
Masonic order and an active Knight Templar, belonging to Clarksville Commanderw 
No. 8, of which he is exceedingly proud. Mr. MacCormac in 187 1 was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Leonard, daughter of Colonel T. I). Leonard, of this count) . 
Koth himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and take much interest 
in its welfare and good. They have no children. 

M. 1., bisi.iN. 




This go ahead, driving and clever citizen is the leading manufac turer of and dealer 
in harness and saddles in Clarksville. His work and wares are well spoken of in 
^•arious parts of 'J'ennessee and Kentucky, where they are best known and most used. 
Mr. Joslin employs a good sized force of experts in his business, and as he is a perfect 
judge of material, with great energy, nobody wonders at the business success he has 
achieved, and so tenaciously holds to. His commodious shop and salesroom is located 



370 
on Franklin street near Second, and during week days these are busy marts. Mr. 
Joslin was born December 29th, 1836, in Dickson county. His parents, Hendersr.n 
and Martha Joslin, were of English descent, but both were born in Tennessee. Mr. 
Joslm began learning his trade in 1854, and when the war broke out had just completed 
It, but the sound of the drum and fife were so enchanting that he joined the Confederate 
forces and skirmished with the blue coats for four years. In ,868 he became a citizen 
of Clarksville, opened his shop, and flung to the breeze his banner on which was in- 
scribed "Come to Stay," and since then has met with merited success. Mr. Joslin 
married Miss M. V. Walter, of Stewart county, in 186 1. and to them have been born 
Mattie v., William W., Fonnie, Minnie, John, Edward and Charles Joslin. Mr. Joslin 
IS an active member of the Ma.sonic order, and also of the Christian Church. 

WlLLI.\.\I Ki.EE.MAN. 

The vicissitudes of the knight of the cleaver are generally hard to overcome, 
simply from the fact that they are so numerous and not unfrequently complicated; but 
the principal of this sketh, William Kleeman, has proved himself a master of the 
butcher's science, and to-day stands eminent as a citizen of Clarksville. At the age of 
fifteen Mr. Kleeman began working as a journeyman butcher, having served as an 
apprentice since his tenth year, in Bavaria, Germany, where he was born May 6th. 
1835. In 1852 Mr. Kleeman landed at New York, where he followed his profession 
ten years, after which he moved to ShelbyviUe, Illinois, and there he remained until 
1865, when he came to Clarksville. He at first engaged in mercantile business in this 
city, which he continued until 1878, when he resumed the butcher business and opened 
the first daily market in the city. Business rapidly increased with him. and to-day he 
is the leader of his line in this section of country. Mr. Kleeman is Chief of the Clark.s- 
ville Fire Department, and has repeatedly served in the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. 
He belongs to the Masonic order, is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and also 
prominent in the Uniform Rank of the latter order. In 1858 William Kleeman and 
Miss Amelia Rothschild were married, and to them were born Seward. Isaac, Daisy. 
Arthur, Violet and Edward C. Kleeman. 

M.AURicE A. Str.\tto.\. 

The boot and shoe trade of Clarksville is well represented in Maurice A. Stratton. 
who is a leader in that line, being well located in a spacious store on Franklin street. 
His store is the best arranged for the business of any in this part of Tennessee : and as 
Mr. Stratton is known to the public as a straight-forward, honest dealing man, with 
energy and pluck, he is meeting with the most encouraging success. He is a native 01 
Virginia, having been born in Rockbridge county, November 23rd, 1852, and his 
parents were Richard H. and Eliza Stratton. Mr. Stratton received his early education 
in Albemarle county, Virginia, but in 1863 he began farming in Nelson county, Va.. 
which he continued two years. In Mirch, 187 1, he arrived in Clarksville, and engaged 
as salesman in the dry goods house of B. F. Coulter, where he remained three years. 



371 
He then went "out West," but in 1875 returned and again connected himself with 
Mr. t'oiilter's business, after which he became a partner with W. F. and J. B. Coulter 
in the dry goods business, under the firm name of Coulter Bros. & Stratton. In De- 
cember, 1882, he sold out his interest in this firm, and in January following opened out 
in the boot and shoe business at the stand formerly occupied by V. L. Williams, whose 
interest he had purchased. Some time later he moved to the store he now occupies 
and condui ts on his own account. On the 15th of January, 1879, M"". Stratton led to 
the hvmenial altar Miss Rachel Tucker, of Kentucky, and one daughter, Mary, was 
liiirn to them, but died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Stratton belong to the Christian 
Church, and are industrious workers for its prosjjerity. He is a member of the Knights 
of Honor, and is known to be decidedly a self-made man, prosperous, industrious and 
wide awake to business at all times. 

Sa.ml'ei. K. Skat. 

This gentleman is a prominent citizen .vho has been connected with the enterprise 
and prosperit)' of Clarksville for nearly fifty years, and now at a ripe age enjoys the 
tVuits of his labor and benefits growing out of the pluck and push of the early builders 
(if the city's trade. Mr. Seat was born in Rutherford county, Tenn.. October 2rst, 
1S22, and was raised and educated in Lebanon, Wilson county, Tenn. He came to 
Clarksville December 31st, 1843, and on the following day commenced business as 
clerk for Joseph Johnson, in the dry goods business, and continued in this house with 
Mr. Johnson and his successors, Munford & Anderson, until 1846. He was then absent 
two years, and returning in 1848, set in as clerk tor Peter Peacher in the dry goods 
business. In September, 1849, C. H. Smith and S. B. Seat formed a partnershi|j with 
Peter Peacher, under the firm name of Peacher, Smith tV Co., dry goods. This rela 
tionship continued until January, 1852, when Mr. Peacher retired, the house in the 
meantime suffering a big loss by fire. The house was then conducted by Smith & Seal 
up to 1855, when Tilford T. Farmer bought Smith's interest, and the business was con- 
ducted by Seat &: Farmer up to 1857. when Mr. Seat sold out to Thomas Trigg, and 
the house was continued in the name of Farmer & Trigg. In January, r86o. S. H. 
Seat, F. P. McWhirter and Robert Miller engaged in the dry goods business, under 
the name of Seat, McWhirter & Co., and at the the same time S. B. Seat, William 
Kirl)y and Robert Miller engaged in the clothing business under the name of Kirby, 
.Miller & Co. Both houses enjoyed a prosperous business, but were broken up by the 
war. By reference to a sketch of the Central Warehouse, it will be observed that Mr. 
Seat just after the war was extensively engaged in the warehouse business with C. H. 
Smith, and afterwards with R. P. Bowling; in the pork packing business with John K. 
Smith & Co., and with Seat, Kropp & Co., in the milling business. The last named 
firm was composed of S. B. Seat, C. H. Smith or Mrs. Lucy Smith, Christopher Kropp 
and Robert (iraham. They built the City Mills, and were remarkablv successful in 
their operations up to Mr. Kropp's death in 1876, whose excellent judgment had ton- 
trolled operations during the eight or ten years of the firm's existence, and the other 



M - 
])artners were unwilling to risk any other management and discontinued business. 
During the time the firm existed the profits from the mill was over one hundred thous- 
and dollars. Since that time Mr. Seat has continued his family home in this city, a 
handsome residence on Main street opposite the Presbyterian Church, and engaged in 
farming on Cumberland River below Nashville. He now owns and cultivates a most 
profitable orange grove on Orange Lake, Citra, Marion county, Florida, and is also 
engaged in the fruit business near this city, having a small farm in the suburbs on 
which he has recently set out one thousand LeConte pear trees. Mr. Seat was married 
May 23rd, 1855, to Miss Sue M. Anderson, born April 25th, 1825, a daughter of James 
.\nderson, of Nashville. Mr. Seat is a son of Robert and Nancy Seat; his father died 
in August, 1825, and his mother afterwards married George McWhirter, of Wilson 
county, Tenn., who died in 1873. Hon. A. J. McWhirter, Commissioner of .Agricul- 
ture, Statistics and Mines for Tennessee under the four years administration of Cjovernor 
William B. Bate, is a son by this marriage. Mrs. McWhirter was born in 1795 and 
still survives in her ninety-second year, and is active, both physically and mentally, for 
one of her age. She united with the Methodist Church at sixteen years of age, and 
has since been an active and enthusiastic Christian worker. Mr. Seat and wife arc 
both zealous members of the Presbyterian Church. 

John J. West. 

Clarksville is particularly fortunate in having a most excellent City Attorney in the 
person whose name heads this article. Mr. West, independent of his extensive educa- 
tion in law, has had an extensive experience with the workings on the inside of the 
various courts, having acted as Deputy Circuit Court Clerk of Montgomery county 
before he was licensed to practice at the bar. In the Fall of 1872, just after completing 
his English course in Stewart College, Mr. West began the study of law under the 
Hon. John F. House, one of the most distinguished barristers of the present day, and 
in 1875 he was licensed to practice, since which time he has continued to successfully 
climb the ladder of fame. In 1878 Mr. West was elected Public Administrator, and 
as he gave such complete satisfaction in that capacity, he has since been continued in 
that office and now has the honor of conducting its affairs. In 1882 he was elected 
City Attorney, and in this office he has proved a remarkable success, which the Board 
of Mayor and Aldermen has recognized to such an extent as to re-elect him annually 
since that time. He is a public spirited citizen, and for one of his age, is as well posted 
on public affairs of his city, county and State, as any man in Tennessee. Mr. West 
was born in Todd county, Ky. , December 30th, 1853, and his parents, Dr. J. B. and 
Mary (Jarrad) West, are natives of Alabama and Virginia. Dr. West from 1866 to 
1872 had control of the Clarksville Female Academy: but for over thirty-two years has 
been a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and now resides 
in Nashville. John J. West is a hard working and faithful member of the Knights of 
Pythias and Knights of Honor, and both himself and wife are ardent members of the 
Methodist Church. On the 3rd of October, 1878. Mr. West and Miss Georg'a Beau- 



373 
mont were happily married, and to them have been born three children. Laura ¥,. 
Marv. and John West, jr. 




John HuRsr & Co. 

This firm in wholesale groceries, li([uors and seed, is one of the liveliest in the 
Cumberland Valley, and its trade entends throughout Middle and West Tennessee and 
Southern Kentucky. Handling goods m the original package is a special feature of 
the magnificent business the firm ha.s built u]). < onsequently the opposition of St. Louis. 
Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville and Memphis is not detrimental to its success, as it 
can and does compete with either of those cities, and disposes of all the merchandise 
it attempts to offer for sale. The members of this enterjirising firm are John Hurst. 
Joseph A. Boillin and James L. Glenn, three of Clarksvilie's most acti\e men. The 
two former attend to the welfare of the house e.vclusively. but Mr. Glenn is the Cashier 
of the Northern Bank, where of course he spends most of his time, although he is not 
inactive in the store when opportunity affords. The storehouse of John Hurst &: Co. 
is one of the largest on Franklin street, covering an area of t\venty-si.\ feet liv two hun- 
dred, being three stories high and two cellars dee].). There is a large salt shed near 



374 
the passL-nger depot, niid ^uiuthor iit the freight depot, also a large warehouse on the 
Public Square, where molasses, hay. fertilizers, and other staple merchandise handled 
li\- the firm are stored, subject to the demand of the public. The house has always 

been jjrosperous since its establishment in 1870 
by Walter McC'omb & Co., the firm being com- 
posed of Walter McConib and James L. (llenn. 
It has ]ias-ed through three hrm changes all tiihl 
sin< e it was established: from Walter MiConib tV 
( o to the same style after John Hurst was ad- 
muted as a p.irtner in 1873 .- 'hen in 1878 changed 
t M(('omb, Hurst i\: Co.; then in 1884 to John 
Huisi \- Co.. when Walter McComb withdrew 
nul Joseph .\. Boillin went in as a partner. The 
I itter gentleman had been book-keeper for the 
house since 1878, and went through the changes 
n 11 led, su( cessfiill) holding his position. The 
li Hise eiii|)lo\s two traveling salesmen, Messrs. 
H M. Caldwell and J. .\. Clements: while G. C. 
I \ lies an<l C. K. Barnes are the accommodating 
kiks on the floor of the store. Wiley Johnson. 
1 tiusied and faithful colored man, is the ])olite 
I Iter, and Jai k Morrow, colored, has charge of 
the linn's teams. The [iresent elegant building 
(u cupied !))• John Hurst & Co. was erected liy them in 1880. and on the ist of Novem- 
ber in that year was opened in grand style with as fine a line of general groceries as was 
e\er displa\ed in Tennessee. The okl house ore upied b\ the firm is still at the corner 
of First and Franklin street, and is now used as a dry goods store by Isaai Rosenfelil. 
^ John Hurst, senior member of the llrm of John Hurst & Co.. is in realit)' a self- 
ni.ide man. and has grown with the prosperity of this city. He was born in Mont- 
gonier\ icuiiuv, March 29th, 1841. his parents being Frank and Eliza (P'lack) Hurst. 
who were of Scotch origin, but their parents came troni North Carolina in the early 
ila)s of 'I'ennessee. John Hurst was the oldest of six children, and received only an 
ordinary education in country schools He began busine.ss life in 1859, as a clerk in 
S. F. Beaumont's hardware store, and continued there until the war cry of 1861 was 
raised, and then he joined Company H, of the F'ourteenth Tennessee Infantry, and 
ser\ed the Southern Confederacy for four long years. In 1863 when the army was 
retiring from (iettysburg, Mr. Hurst was captured by the Yankees and went to prison, 
wliere he lingered for seven months, .\fter the war, in 1865, he returned to Clarksville 
and took a plate as clerk in |. J. Crusiiian's grocery, where he remained for ele\en 
vears. In 1876 he engaged in the grocery business on his own account, and in i88j 
began a strictly wholesale business, which is continued at this time. In 1872 Mr. 
Hurst was married to Miss Amaryllis Smith, of Virginia, and F.thel, Walton and Sallie 




375 
Hurst are their children. Mr. :ind Mrs. Hurst :ire boili iirt-niinent memliers ot the 
Baptist Church. 

(oseph .A. Boillin, an active an energetic member of the firm of John Hurst & Co.. 
was born and raised in Clarksville and educated in the schools of the city. He is a 
son of (oseph and Victoria Boillin, and was born SejJtember 7th, i860. The first busi- 
ness Mr. Boillin ever did was as clerk in the Clarksville postoflfice, where he remained 
ever faithful to his trust for four years. .\fter this he began keeping the books for 
Walter McComb & Co., and there he remained through three firm changes, until 
fiiiallv himself became a partner in the successive firm that followed the old and original 
one. Mr. Boillin is single yet, young, handsome, honorable in all he does and says, 
and enjoys the fullest confidence of everybody. He is an ardent member of the Cath- 
olic Knights of .America, and is fond of his church, which he attends regularly and 
promptly. 

Hknkv Frkih. 

.Any history of Clarksville would be incomiilete without containing a sketch of the 
life and public services of the late Henry Freeh, the merchant, manufacturer, and 
public servant, who departed this life March 23rd, 1887. .As a men hant. he was a 
grocer and dealer in .seeds, with a very large 
and flourishing trade, and the storehouse he 
built aiid occupied on Franklin street is twenty- 
five by one hundred and eighty feet in the 
clear, three stories high, and this was always 
well supplied with the very best of everything. 
.As a manufacturer, he was part owner of the 
.Sewanee Planing Mills, and as a public sei 
vant he was Mayor of the city in 1870-71 
.Mr. Freeh was born at Cincinnati. Januarx 
15th, 1838, was of German ancestry, and came 
to this city in 1849. but after a year he re- 
turned to Cincinnati, where he lived till 1861. 
when he came back to Clarksville and made it 
his [jermanent home: and after that time pros- 
jjered finely until his death occurred. In 1870 
he married Miss Amanda Byrne, of Russell- 
\ille, Ky., and she died about a month before 
lier husband, leaving one child, Mary Freeh. 
Henry Freeh was a member of the Pi^sbyterian 
Church, and was an ardent Democrat in his political opinions. He was a discreet and 
])rudent business man. thorough self-reliant and inde|)endent at all times. His leading 
characterisic was his sterling integrity and devotion to truth. His word was his bond, 
and truth was the guide of his life. The world is bettered bv the lives of such men as 




376 
Henry Frecii, whose life was a moral lesson, whose nieniciry will long be i hensheci and 
who will ever be remembered as truly an honest man by all whti knew him in life and 
had business transactions w-ith him, as well as by those who only knew him by the 
sterling and unsjiotted reputation he had made. 

Al.KXAMU'lK R. (iHiUSciX. 

Alexander R. (Iholson, of the extensively known law firm of Smith iS: (Iholsun, was 
born in Montgomery county, February 26th, 1861, and is a son of Dr. John A. (Ihol- 
son, of this county. Mr. Oholson was reared on a farm and schooled in the countr\- 
until 1881, when he began studying law, at whii h he jiroxed to be a very assidious 
student, whose persistent will and energy soon broi'ght hi, 11 through in good sha])e, so 
in 1884 he found himself qualified to enter the law office of Smith iS: Lurton. In Se])- 
tember of the latter year he was licensed to practice, and was admitted to the bar of 
the Montgomery county courts. In .■\ugust, i<S85, he was appointed Deputy ("lerk 
and Master of the Chancery Court, under Polk d. Johnson, and later was appointed a 
Notary Public by the Montgomery County Court. During the year 1886, Judge H. H. 
l.urton having been elected to the bench of the Supreme Court of 'I'ennessee, the law 
firm of Smith & Lurton was dissolved, whereupon Mr. Gholson took his place, and the 
firm .style was changed to Smith \- (Jholson. This [jroved to be considerable of an 
advance for one so young as Mr. (iholson, and his accession to the new combination 
speaks well for his talents as a lawyer, and for his iiuli\'idualit\'. morall\-, inlellec tualK . 
and otherwise. He was heartily congratulated upon his success by the people ot 
Clarksville, all of whom were glad of his advancement in his chosen prt)fession. Mr. 
(iholson is an ardent member of the Knights of l'}thias, and a working member of the 
Methodist Church. He is progressive in his idea*;, and is fast gaining tame as a 
lawyer. 

|i)HN RnK. 

John Ri( k. the popular boot and shoe manufacturer of Clarksville, is a native of 
(lermany, and his parents were Andrew and Christine Rick. After'learning his trade. 
Rick, in 1848, borrowed fifty-eight dollars and took passage on a vessel bound for 
America, and during that year landed at New Orleans. He then came up the river 
and stopped at Evansville, where he worked as a journeyman shoemaker for three 
years, after which he came to Clarks\ille and located permanently. He prospered 
finely here for a numljer of years, but has had many ups and downs iu his business 
career. His prospects are excellent now, and his friends think he has passed the 
stormy period. In 1853 he inarried Miss ChristAia Hekel, and the couple have five 
children: John T., Henry A., Charles B., Frank E. , and Julia J. Rick. Mr. Rick 
has been a member of the Board of Mayor and .\ldermen and Board of Education, the 
former for twelve years and the latter three \ears. He is a member of the Odd Fellows 
and both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Churcii. They li\e in their 
neat cottage home on Water street. 




377 
Owen & Moork. 
This enterprising and wide awake firm was organized in 1870, to conduct the drun 

and book business, and for eight years prospered finely without interruption, but in 

April, 1878. their store was burned out by the great fire that wrecked a large portion 

of the business houses on Franklin street. The firm came out of the debris with small 

loss, and their insurance and about three thousand dollars worth of saved stock, enabled 

it lo stand upon its feet and again come to the business 

front. As soon as possible, Owen & Moore erected 

the splendid building, No. 47 Franklin street, where 

they now conduct the drug business, which is the most 

extensive in this part of Tennessee, as the firm are 

jobbers to a large extent, and sell goods within a radius 

ot many miles around Clarksville, in Tennessee and 

Kentucky. Mr. C. M. Southall is the well known and 

popular traveling salesman for Owen & Moore, and he 

finds his way to dealers who are located many miles 

away. Mr. Owen is the principal buyer for the con- 
cern, while Mr. Moore is almost constantly on duty as 

superintendent and manager of affairs inside the store. 

Everything in the drug line, both wholesale and retail, is handled by the firm in vast 
quantities. The building occupied for drugs is twenty by one hundred and fifteen feet 
m the clear, has three stories and a basement, and is a model of architectural design 
and build. The make up of the firm is- B. H. Owen and J. D. Moore, and they are 
ably assisted by Mr. C. L. Sanders, an expert prescription clerk, who also assists in 
keepnig the books; and Mr. Holmes Orgain, who is a clerk at large. Claiborne Owen 
colored, is the trusted and tried porter, who is also a valuable appendage to the work- 
ings of the house. By many years of straight-forward and the most honorable business 
transactions, the firm of Owen & Moore, and its faithful employes, have met with the 
encouragement and substantial support of the people of Clarksville and surrounding 
country, and it stands to-day an unqualified success, financially and otherwise. The 
extensive musical department of Owen & Moore's business is located at No. 51 
Franklin street, which is separated trom the drug store by the building occupied by 
Philip Lieber. Professor J. F. Parker has control of this branch of the business, and 
the stock embraces a large line of pianos, organs, band outfits, violins, guitars' and 
odier instruments, while the shelving is loaded with sheet music of all classifications. 
Since its establishment some years ago, this department has been a success in every 
way. The book department is also located in buildjng No. 51, and the owners of this 
branch are B. H. Owen, J. D. Moore and W. T. Atkinson, doing business under the 
,firm name of Owen, Moore & Atkinson, the latter having full control of the inside 
aftairs. Here are to be found text books of all kinds, blank books, story books, novels, 
periodicals, newspapers, wall paper of all shades and colors, pictures and picture' frames! 
and in fact all articles that go to make up the contents of a first-class bookseller's estab" 



.?7« 
lishment. Mr. Atkinson, who controls this branch ol the business, has succeeded in 
making a great success of it, and by hard work, decided energy and the most upright 
deahngs with the public, has made a name for himself that places him in the front rank 
of our commercial men. Besides the valuable services rendered in these departments 
by Messrs. Atkinson and Parker, Mr. Stanley M. Viser, a popular and efficient gentle- 
man, is employed as a salesman. 

C. L. Cooke. 

This well and favorably known jewelry house is owned by (;. E. and C. L. Cooke, 
and was established by the former in 1855, who prospered alone until 1859, when 
C. L. Cooke arrived at Clarksville and became interested with his brother. I, ike many 
men in other lines of business, the brothers toiled away first successfully and then 
adversely until 1865, when by a change in the tide of events the house changed its 
name to C. L. Cooke, and since then has been jjrosperous. Both brothers are active 
m conducting the business, and the house carries a large stock of the rarest stones, 
watches, fine jewelry, .silverware, clocks, etc., and also conducts a watch making and 
repairing business on an extensive scale. The store is very attractive, being located 
in the bu.siness centre, on Franklin street, and the pretty goods are so arranged as to 
attract the attention even of the most careless observer. • The Cooke brothers by their 
high and honorable business methods have long enjoyed the confidence of the Clarks- 
ville people, and their success in life has been an assured fact for many years. ( Jeorge 
E. Cooke is a native of New York State, is about fifty years old, active, energetic and 
strictly reliable in business affairs. He is a mechanical genius, besides being a watch- 
maker and jeweler, and has invented some valuable improvements on machinery for 
making shingles. In fact he is a jack of all trades and is not a bad hand at anything. 
His wife is a native of Virginia, and they have six children. Both are devout members 
of the Episcopal Church, and he is an active member of the Knights of Honor. Mr. 
Charles L. Cooke is also a native of New York State, but has been a citizen of Clarks- 
ville since 1859. He has control of the inside workings of the jewelry house owned by 
himself and brother, is a member of the '"single blessedness" society, and is always 
•'on time" in business affairs. 

Geor(;e W. He.ndrick. 
One of the most attractive business features of Clarksville is the spacious and ele- 
gantly equipped store of George W. Hendrick, located on Franklin street between 
First and Second. His stock consists of china and glassware, house-furnishing goods, 
fancy china bric-a-brac, toys, and numerous articles suitable for wedding and birthday 
presents; and is the most attractive of its kind in this section of Tennessee. There are 
thou.sands of articles on the shelvings and in the elegant show cases of the house that 
are calculated to please people of any and all kinds of tastes. Mr. Hendrick estab- 
Hshed his business in 1882, and since that time has met with remarkable success. He 
is young, active and strictly honorable in his walks of life. He was born twenty-five 
years ago at Paducah, Ky., and is a son of Rev. J. T. Hendrick, one of the original 



379 
founders of the once famous Masonic or Stewart College, which is now the Southwestern 
Presbyterian University, and who for fifteen years was pastor of the Presbyterian 
Church in this city. This young merchant prince has not yet made any steps toward 
a matrimonial venture, and is heart whole and fancy free. 

Edward B. Ely. 

Edward B. Ely, the most extensive confectioner and baker in Clarksville, is a 
leading representative citizen. He began his career as a baker with G. A. Ligon & Co. 
in 1858, but the next year went into business on his own account and prospered finely 
until he was interrupted by being burned out in April, 1878. His insurance on the 
old place assisted him in building his present attractive house the same year, and he is 
now manufacturing and carrying the largest stock in the city. He is a representative 
of one of the oldest and most upright families in Montgomery county, being the sixth 
< hild of the family of Jesse and Charlotte (Jamison) Ely, and was educated in common 
schools, but completed a course at Stewart College. His high honorable business 
course and excellent qualifications brought him into prominence, and besides being a 
Director of the First National Bank of Clarksville, is interested in other pubhc and 
private enterprises equally as important. Mr. Ely was a leading spirit in organizing 
the Clarksville Electric Light Company, of which he is a stockholder, and it was he 
and Mr. M. C. Pitman who built the large new business house on the southwest corner 
of First and Franklin streets, now occupied by Howerton & Macrae. On the 21st of 
August, 1861, he married Miss Maria L. Connell, daughter of H. D. and Ann E. Con- 
nell, of Memphis, and to them were born Edward L., Heulin D., Jesse L., Wharton C. 
Warren, and Laura Lee Ely. Mr. and Mrs. Ely were working members of the Baptist 
Church, but she died in 1886. On the 3rd of October, 1887, Mr. Ely again embraced 
the bans of matrimony by leading to the altar Miss Lee Connell, of Memphis. Mr. 
Ely is a member of the Knights of Honor. 

Elder Brothers. 

The most extensive dealers in hardware and agricultural implements in or near 
Clarksville is the enterprising firm whose name heads this article. It is composed of 
John S. Elder, M. W. Elder and J. E. Elder, all of whom are very energetic and full 
of push. The storehouse occupied by Elder Brothers is eighty by one hundred and 
thirty-five feet in the clear, is three stories high, and has a cellar under all. The entire 
Ijremises are stocked with goods from bottom to top, and each day's sale foots up hun- 
dreds of dollars. They keep all kinds of farming devices, and there is no end to the 
various articles in the hardware line handled .by them. The foundation of Elder 
Brothers' business W3s made by John S. Elder, who in 1874 entered the hardware busi- 
ness with R. S. Moore & Co., after which the firm of Turnley & Elder was established, 
and they bought out Mr. Moore. Later on John S. Elder bought Mr. Turnley out, 
and in 1S86 M. W. and J. E. Elder became partners of John S. Elder, since which 
time the present firm has pros])ered finely. All the brothers are popular with the peo- 



38o 
pie of the city and .surrounding country, and they are known to be gentlemen of the 
liighest sense of honor, hence the secret of their success with tlie large br.siness they 
conduct. The Elder Brothers are sons of Joshua and Meli.ssa M. Elder. The father 
is dead, but the mother is still alive. (For sketch of their ancestry see page 152 of this 
work.) John Saimders Elder was born December 24th, 1852, near Clarksville, and 
received part of his education in the common .schools of this city, after which he finished 
his English course at Stewart College. In 1873 he went to ( 'in.innati, where he took 
a full mercantile course at Bryant & .Stratton's Business College, and in 1874 he went 
into business here with R. S. Moore & Co. Mr. Elder is a very exemplary man. as 
yet unmarried, but he has done Clarksville a vast deal of good, as he is one of the mo^i 
enterprising men in the ])lace. lie luiilt Elder's Opera House, which for years ha^ 
been the only place of amusement in the city, and this alone is an ornament to the 
Public Square and Franklin street. He also Iniiit nine of the best business hou.ses on 
I'ranklin street, but has since sold some of them, and he also built numerous hou.ses on 




KI.DKR S OPKRA HOL'SK. 

ether streets of the city, thereby giving employment to many mechanics, scattering 
money among the people and beautifying this pretty city of hills. Elder's Opera House 
111 the Fall of i.SS; was thoroughly overhauled and greatly improved by placing in an 
elevated lloor. and making a parquette, dress circle and gallery, all of which are equal 
to any place of amusement in the country. Four handsome proscenium or private 
boxes were put in and handsomely furnished, and the stage paraphanalia, scene.s, dro]) 
curtains, etc., were all made new and put in perfect working order. It has a seating 
capacity for eight hundred persons, ca.h of whom can occupy a comfortable chair, as 
the auditorium is furnished with that number. The Opera House is under the manage- 
ment of Mr. James I'. Wood, an energetic, clever gentleman, who makes it his business 




John S. Elder. 



38i 
to see that all his guests are made comfortable and that they are well attended to. He 
contracts with all visiting troupes, organizations and specialty companies who visit the 
city, and is very particular about the class of artists whom he contracts with. The 
enterprises named are only part of the many that John S. Elder is now and has been 
eagaged in, but these go to prove the kind of material he is made of. He is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias and the order of Iron Hall. In religion he is a Presbyterian. 
M. W. Elder is thirty-one years old, and like his brother John, is full of push and 
business. He spends his entire time in the store, and gives his personal pleasure but 
little attention. He is of a sociable, genial disposition, and quite popular with his 
many acquaintances. J. E. Elder, the youngest of the three brothers, is twenty-three 
years of age, and like his brothers, is verv assidious to his business. He too is well 
liked by al! who know him, and he is on a good road for a prosperous life. 

The Public Schools. 

'I"he Public Schools offer to the citizens of Clarksville advantages of a thorough 
English education surpassed by none, public or private, in the State. They were 
graded eight years ago, and opened with about five hundred pupils, but they have 
: increased in popularity to such an extent that they now enroll about thirteen hundred 
pupils, which is over fifty per cent, of the scholastic population. The enumeration 
being between the ages of six and twenty-one years, the enrollment is really about 
ninety-five ]ier cent, of the school attending population. The schools ahvays run ten 
months in the year, and the curriculum extends through ten grades. The schools are. 
Primary, Intermediate, Grammar and High School Departments. In the first three 
departments are taught reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, geography, grammar, 
com|)osition, drawing and music. In the High School are taught reading, elocution, 
composition, rhetoric, philosophy, chemistry, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, survey- 
ing, geology, physical geography, book-keeping, writing, perspective drawing, History 
of the United States, History of England, and History of the World. The assignment 
of teachers for this year are: J. W. Graham, Superintendent; Howell School — Miss 
Lou Lovell, Principal of High School Department; Miss Eva Bailey, Assistant in High 
School Department; Miss Hula Lovell, Assistant in High School Department; Mrs. S. 
Shackelford, Principal of Grammar Department; Miss Mamie Bates, Assistant in Gram- 
mar Department; Miss Anabel Major, Assistant in Primary Department; Miss Jeannie 
Foster, Principal of Primary Department; Miss Kate Rogers, Assistant in Primary 
Department; Miss Mattie Rudolph, Assistant in Primary Department; Miss Kathleen 
O'Brien, Assi.stant in Primary Department; Miss Minnie Shackelford, Assistant in 
Grammar Department; Colored School — Charles M- Watson, Principal of Building and 
Grammar Department; Jesse Firse, Assistant in Grammar Department; Henry Lockert, 
Principal of Intermediate Department; Miss Lizzie Ramey, Assistant in Intermediate 
Department; W. S. Grant, Principal of Primary Department; Mrs. H. S. Merry, 
Assistant in Primary Department. The schools are controlled by a Board of Educa- 
tion, at present com.posed of J. D. Moore, President; L. Bloch, Secretary and Treas- 



3S= 
urcr; |. W . (;raliam, Sii|icrintoii<iciil ; John \V. Faxon. 1'. H. Smith, \\'m. Kleenian, 
and C. M. Marker. I'he cut below represents the Howell building for white puiuls. It 
i> 1 entrally located, and has a large yard sloping in all directions from the building. 
i'he building is well ventilated, having twenty-four windows to each floor. 'I'here are 




I. laii.iuNi 



two broad stairways, one for boys, the other for girls. There are three large stud\ 
balls, one on each floor, with the recitation rooms opening into each. The seatin<' 
capacit}- of the three halls is about si\ hundrcil pupils. The interior of the building is 
well finished with the best modern desks. The i olored school building is of the same 
architecture, and has alK)ut the same number of pupils. 



383 

HkV< K S'lKWAKI. 

This gentleman is a native of Scotland, and a son of Bryce and Marian (Kerr) 
Stewart, but the father died in that country before the subject of this sketch came to 
America, and the mother afterwards. Mr. Stewart, together with his brothers, John 
and Daniel K. Stewart, came to the United States in 1825 and located at Richmond. 
Virginia: but in 1832 Bryce .Stewart moved to 
New Orleans, where he engaged in business which 
he conducted two years, and in 1834 he came to 
L'larksville, where he made his permanent home. 
He engaged in the tobacco business in Clarksville's 
tarliest tobacco period, and ultimately, together 
with his brother John, owned and conducted an 
extensive stemmery and re-handling estalflishment. 
John .Stewart remained in Clarksville only a few 
months, and upon his return to Richmond, Hryce 
Stewart, with increased capacity, doubled his energy 
and continued the Clarksville enterprise, as well as 
several tobacco stemmeries in .Missouri and Ken 
tucky, until the civil war broke out. Mr. .Stewart 
established an enviable reputation with tobacco 
growers, and during his most active business career 
was liberal in his dealings with the farmer in par- 
ticular, and the public in general. The tobacco rai.sers were ever ready to disj^ose 'j! 
their crops to him, because of the fact that they knew fair deals to be Ris motto. In 
anti belluin days speculations in tobacco were more profitable to handlers than at the 
present period, from the fact that the markets were open to the world, and dealers 
were not in constant danger of being pressed to financial ruin by combinations, as is 
now the case. Mr. .Stewart well understood managing his large purchases of tobacco, 
and during a long career of active life in the weed, accumulated a very large estate, 
and is to-day probably the wealthiest individual in this county. At any rate he pays 
the largest amount of taxes. This success in life was not all derived from speculations 
in tobacco, for he made considerable money on cotton purcha.sed at Memphis and other 
IX)ints in the South. He is the owner of vast estates in Virginia, Kentucky and other 
parts of the Union, and is financially interested in numerous public enterprises Ixtth at 
a distance at at home. He is recognized locally as one of the leading spirits of the city 
of Clarksville, as he subscribes liberally to'every meritorious enterprise that is advanced 
for the public good. He has contributed thousands of dollars to Clarksville's good, 
when he expected little or nothing in return therefor. Mr. Stewart is possessed of 
deep religious convictions, the tenderest feelings and sympathies with the poor and 
afflicted, and is of the most unostentatious benevolent turn. He has contributed largely 
to Clarksville's educational institutions, churches and charities, for which her citizens 
feel grateful to a truly good man. Notwithsunding the fact that Mr. Stewart is now 




384 

well onto the shady side of life, he possesses his original strong intellect and his 

itT 'ZTT"""' ''''''■''' '' ^^'""^ '' ''' -'-'y -'-^^ ^-'>- -"'^ ■" 

d r Mrri . , r" "■" """'' '" "'^■■'"^°">' '° ^^'^^ Eliza, daughter of Alexan- 

d r McClure, and by th,s un,on four children, three sons and one daughter, were born 

ri H ^ 7 '"■' """'"' '''' '^' '"^"'' °f 'his union. Mr. and Mrs Hunu 

both d.ed at Lou.sv.lle. In X865 Mrs. Eliza Stewart, wife of the subject of thi 'ske I 

Cobb. To this unmn one chdd, Norman Stewart, was born. Mr. Stewart for many 

sr;;r :::r ::r '' " '''^''- ''-'- - "'-^ - '--- 

The Tobacco Crop as Coxnectkd with Clarksville. 

trade^'andTo'f ' >"' '"?"'' °' °" '""'^ ""'^ '^''>' ^^'"^ ^-^^^^ on its tobacco 
ade, and so far ,ts man. hope for the future, a sketch of it may be proper. The cul 
.vatton of tobacco commenced with the settlement of this section; the early pionee s 

rTuth 'tT'^ ^"' ?"' "^'""""^ '^'^""^^' ^^'^ '^-^•"^ 'h- -^d -™ with 
brought tobacco seed also, and raising, first little patches for household use enlarged 

urplus. The lands were v.rg.n, rich in vegetable food, and crops were raised with 
l.ttle care and much less labor than now required, and the recompense was in the same 
proportion, for we find from the annals of this country that two to four cent per IZd 
were frequent pnces, and not complained of as not remunerative; it is true ha a do lar 
^.en, "the dollar ofourdad.s," had a much larger purchasn.g power Z a p.e.t 
The mam channels of trade were then down the water courses, and all heavy produce 
floated whenever possible, and steam navigation not being invented f mo^ ha, 
wenty years a ter the country was first settled, produce was first carried in the 'broad 

of cargoes Later on shipments were made by the more manageable and safer keel- 
boat, whtch made the return trip with great labor and toil of the crew, with a et 
cargo of groceries, etc. Still later came the steamboats, increasing in si e power and 
beauty up to x86. but up to 1840 probably the bulk of the tobacco crop wa pp d 
o New Orleans by flat or keel-boats; New Orleans then being the reed vmg and ds 
tnbutmg depot for nearly all the agricultural products of the Valley of the Mississippi 
and the country drained by its tributaries. Mississippi 

Quite early in the history of this section tobacco became the -'money crop" of the 
planters, and rehed upon to produce the "circulating medium" necessary to sup2 
he house and plantation with all the articles of necessity and lu.xury not produced by 
the latter, and later on the greatest source of .ealth. The tobacco crop gradually 
mcreased in size and importance, and in larger and larger quantities found it! way o 
Europe, winning its way to favor in spite of rankness of flavor and strength as com- 



I 



385 
pared with the sweetness of its ancestors, the Virginia and North Carolina leaf. Its 
appearance in Europe attracted more and more attention, and its nativity traced, and 
the type of this section being peculiar, resembling more nearly than any other the fat, 
heavy black tobaccos of the James River low-grounds, it was sought for as a mixer and 
adulterant w'th that finer variety of the weed. Clarksville being the shipping port for 
nearlv all that portion of Kentucky and Tennessee producing this peculiar type of 
tobacco, the growth was soon known as '•Clarksville" tobacco in every foreign and 
domestic market : a title retained to the present day. 

.\ little later the British factors, and their correspondents in \'irginia, made in\est- 
ments in the crop, leading to the establishment of stemming houses to convert the soft 
leaf into dry strips, the early pioneers in the business being Messrs. Buckholder, the 
Stewart Brothers, (still represented here by one of them, Mr. Bryce Stewart) Mr. Henry 
Beaumont, Mr. John McKeage, Mr. John \V. Barker, Dr. Walter H. Drane, (all of 
whose names still live with us in their descendants) Mr. Fielding L. Williams, Messrs. 
Browder & McClure, Mr. William Jones, and others. Their successful operations 
made the business a permanent one, and one of the regular industries of the section, 
which is still carried on by various houses, though the output is not so large as for- 
merly; the Ohio River Districts proving to be better stemming points than this, while 
Clarksville in turn having greater success as a leaf market. The crop steadily increas- 
ing in size, between 1835 and 1840, the question of establishing an inspection of tobacco 
here was mooted, and laws passed by the Legislature to regulate the same. The first 
tobacco inspectors, as Mr. Bryce Stewart informs us, were elected in 1S42. and were 
William B. Collins, John Roberts, William R. Leigh, and John Keesee. The first 
sales were by Witherspoon & Co. Sales were small for some years, as planters were 
accustomed to the old system of shipping to New Orleans, and investing a jiortion of 
the proceeds of their crops in plantation supplies, bought more cheapl\- there than 
here; the change was also opposed to some extent by the various shipping houses and 
bv the flat-boatmen, that mode of shipping not yet having ceased entirely. Graduall)-, 
however, planters realized the convenience and advantage of seeing their crops sold. 
and of hearing the comments and suggestions of buyers in regard to the best manner of 
curing and handling, and of seeing the handling of their neighbors' crops, and how the 
samples appeared after being drawn, and each was ambitious to raise fine tobacco and 
handle it well ; thus the change gradually became popular and a larger per rentage of 
the crop was sold here each year. In 1845 the main warehouses for sale of inspected 
tobaccos were those of Thomas McClure and S. S. Williams ^: Co. The inspectors 
elected for that year were .\. D. Witherspoon, W. R. l.eigh, H. H. -Smith, and Benj. 
Orgain; the latter failing to qualify, John RobertSf was put in his place. These inspec- 
tors and all succeeding ones were elected by the County Court until the year 1S7 i. when 
the law was changed. 

In 1846 the inspection warehouses were kept by William S. & Robert McClure, 
successors of Thomas McClure, and Beaumont, Payne & Co., successors of S. S. 
Witherspoon &: Co., the company being Mr. Henry I.. Bailey, son of the honored 



386 
citizen, Charles Bailey, Esq., for so many years Clerk of the Circuit Court and Magis- 
trate. Garrott, Bell & Co. commenced selling at Trice's Landing in January, 1847: 
sales were also probably made near this time at a warehouse at Kentucky Landing, still 
farther down the river. Still the business of selling tobacco by sample inspected here 
was moderate until in the fifties, but gradually increased until the noted crop of 1855 
came upon the market in 1856; during that year over eighteen thousand hogsheads were 
shipped from Clarksville, of which fourteen to fifteen thousand hogsheads were sold by 
inspected sample. Of this noted tobacco year and crop we will have something to say 
later on. Changes in warehouse concerns were frequent, some houses changing name 
of firm every year; many of the gentlemen engaged in this business being men of large 
enterprise, doing other business also, packing pork, milling, and moving other produce 
of the country, a list of the various firms running warehouses from 1842 to the present 
time would be a long one indeed. Among the most prominent up to 1861, besides 
those already mentioned, were Trice & Barker, Trice, Poindexter & Co., Barker & Dif- 
fenderffer, S. A. Sawyer, (now the senior of the great houses of Sawyer, Wallace & Co., 
of New York and Louisville) W. S. McClure, C. H. Smith, John K Smith & Co., Old- 
ham, Homar & Co., Porter & Smith, Howell, Blackman & Co., Joseph P. Williams. 
and some others. Probably the most untiring in his energy of any other gentleman 
connected with our trade at that period was Mr. James A. Trice, the senior of the first 
house above, also a member at same time of the firms of Trice, Campbell & Co., pork 
packers, E. Howard & Co., stemmers in Missouri, and of Wingfield. Trice & Co., fac- 
tors and general commission merchants in New Orleans. Mr. Trice with a sanguine 
temperament, full of fire and strength of purpose, had the charm of genial manners 
whieh won him friends, and made him a charming companion everywhere : he made but 
few enemies, and to his friends he was as true as steel to the bitter end. Witli a bright 
mind, well cultivated by a full course at the University of \'irginia, he had the addled 
mercantile education acquired in the house of Addison Anderson & Co., doing then 
an immense business in Richmond, Va. His family and friends suffered an irreparable 
loss in his death at the early age of thirty-five, at New Orleans, from a relapse from an 
attack of yellow fever in 1858, where he was connected with the house of Hewitt, Nor- 
ton & Co., the disastrous panic of 1857, which spread near universal ruin to banks and 
merchants, having caused a second wreck of his fortunes, and forced him to start afresh 
on a new career, which was full of promise when the sad end came to such a noble and 
gifted spirit. 

The stemming houses in existence in this district the few years before the war u ere 
Mr. John W. Barker, Dr. Walter H. Drane, Mr. Thomas F. Pettus, Mr. John K. 
Smith, Messrs. John McKeage & Son, Messrs. Henry Beaumont & Son, Messrs. Clark 
& Barker, Messrs. W. H. & G. W. Bryarly, Messrs. Forbes & Pritchett. Mr. M. .M. 
K.err, Mr. Hugh Dunlop, Messrs. Bradley & Co.. Mr. W. P. Arnold, and perhaps one 
or two others, enough to make it very lively in the loose tobacco market. The promi- 
nent warehouse firms the few years before the war between the States, were Messrs. 
J. M. Jones & Co., J. AV. Edwards & Co., and George P. Macmurdo, of Linwood 



387 
Landing; Messrs. Oldham, Homar & Co., of Trice's Landing; Messrs. Johii K. Smith, 
of Red River Landing; Mr. C H. Smith, Mr. W. S. McCIure, and Mr. Joseph P. 
Williams, of Clarksville. 

Owing to the vicissitudes of the seasons, the crops of the decade of 1850 to i860 pre- 
sented a remarkable variety in character, quality and quantity A killing frost between 
the 20th and 2Sth of September, 1850, caught perhaps two-thirds of the crop in the 
field. This caused a wild speculation and hundreds of crops changed hands at ten 
cents round, frosted included, causing grievous losses to the buyers before it was dis- 
posed of. These high prices stimulated the largest planting ever before known in this 
region, and the whole trade being crippled by the severe losses just then being realized, 
[.rices in the Fall of 185 1 opened very low, the general range for loose crops being three 
< ents for leaf and one cent for lugs, two and one-half cents round, two cents and one 
cent, three cents and lugs for nothing, and so on. Prices at the inspection were at 
relative rates, even declining after full sales, and hundreds of hogsheads of lugs were 
sold at one-fourth cent per pound. J852 with moderate plantings gave a fair crop of 
medium quality, which sold at a full advance upon previous years' prices, say about 
three to four cents round loose, and prized relatively. 1853 gave fair planting seasons 
and a full crop was pitched, followed in July by a dry season, which soon became a pro- 
tracted drought, and the last of August the majority of plants could be covered singly with 
a man's hat; the drought was broken by copious rains commencing the 25th of August, 
and the crop grew with great rapidity, making leaf of unusual size, but being cut before 
full maturity, was generally thin, or with very moderate substance; prices loose were 
generally from four to five cents round. In 1854 planting seasons were early and the 
crop pitched the last of April to to the 15th of May; in most parts of the district the 
last Spring rain fell on May 12th, and in many parts not another drop of rain fell until 
the middle of October, though neighborhoods here and there were visited from time to 
time by local thunder storms, often accompanied by hail. The bulk of the crop was driven 
tu the barn prematurely ripened, early in August, some being cut in July. This crop 
exhibited to a remarkable degree the vitality of the tobacco plant, showing in absence 
of moisture almost as much vitality as purslave, as the bulk of the crop showed plants 
upon which never a drop of rain fell, from the time it was set in the field until carried 
to the barn. The crop was very small in leaf (except in the neighborhoods mentioned 
as visited by showers), bright yellow in color generally, and very bitter to the taste. 
Prices opened loose at four to six cents, according to quality, and seven cents for the 
best crops. Prices at the inspections were on a relative basis. The season of 1855 
ojjened with favorable planting seasons, with a soil enriched by the action .of the pre- 
vious protracted drought, drawing up from the sivb-stratum the fertilizing salts leached 
below root depth by previous years' rains. The largest crop ever planted in this section 
up to that time was successfully pitched during favorable seasons between the loth of 
May and loth of June, and the weather being propitious in the main, the largest crop 
ever made before, and the best in quality for many years, was successfully harvested 
in general good condition. The abundance in sight caused prices to open low gener- 



ally at four to five cents round, some prized crops selling at the latter price, but thesL- 
figures steadily advanced throughout the season, owing to the cordial welcome this croji 
of the old-fashioned rich "Clarksville " type, met in every market. The old stocks 
were of the long slazy tobacco of the crop of 1853, and the short stunted lifeless bitter 
crop of 1854, and there was a large vacuum to be filled with fat spinning sorts, and 
Germany came to the front in the New Orleans market, and bought eagerly and steadil) 
at advancing prices throughout the seoson. This 1855 crop firmly established the rejui 
tation of " Clarksville " tobacco in Germany, Austria, Italy and France, and increaseil 
its use in Great Britain, Africa, the West Indies and South America, and from that 
time forward the "Regie" governments found no other growth so suitable to the wants 
of their people. In 1856 a full average crop was pitched, mainly in June, growing 
seasons were not favorable, August was very dry, rains held off until in September, 
and finally sudden killing frosts between the 22nd and 2Sth of September caught per- 
haps two-thirds of the crop in the field, killing it dead. Many crops were abandoned 
in the field and ploughed under; others after standing for weeks were finally harvested, 
and yielded better prices than former sound crops. The crop sold at various prices 
according to its condition of being sound, frosted or half frosted, say from three to nine- 
teen cents for from bottom to top grades. The frost of September, 1856, made "big 
money " to all holders of old stock, and the new crop also paid good profits even upon 
the high prices, until late in the Spring. Planters made large preparation for a crop in 
1857, their profits on the two previous crops having been heavy, many realizing on 
their plantations from tobacco, wheat and hogs in 1856 from four to seven hundred 
dollars per hand, and the country bloomed with prosperity. The crop of 1857 met a 
singular check at the start. On the 6th of April a frost and severe freeze killed the 
plants in every plant bed in Kentucky and Tennessee. There was consternation in 
the country and our market took a big jump, which, however, was not responded to in 
New Orleans. It was considered late to make new preparation for a crop, but some 
burned and sowed new plant beds, some scratched over and resowed the old beds, and 
some gave it up as too late to worry with. The result was different from each one"s 
e.xpectations. The new beds gave plants in ample time for planting, the resowed beds 
came up so thick as to be almost worthless, and the old abandoned beds were soon 
reclothed abundantly with thrifty plants. The crop was pitched in fair season, and hail 
lairly average growing weather, but our planters had "frost" upon the brain, and the 
majority were not watching for their tobacco to get ripe, but to see if it was ripe enough 
to cut, "if it would do;" "half ripe is better than frosted," was a common saying, and 
the crop went into the house in all degrees of ripeness and greenness, so to say. Just 
as the crop was going into the house, the fearful commercial panic of September, 1857. 
suddenly burst upon the people of "these United States," the first falling brick in the 
universal crash being the failure of the "Ohio Life and Trust Company," and bank 
after bank went down, from Maine to Texas, until there was a general suspension of 
specie payment. Every bank in Tennessee suspended except "our" Northern Bank 
of Tennessee, and Buck's Bank. The former still stands with its escutcheon bright and 



389 

untarnished, and wherever she is known her credit is as good, though her capital is not 
as great, as the Bank of England, the "the old lady on Threadneedle street,'' as the 
Cockneys call her. 

Under the collapse of credit all staples suffered, tobacco more than any. and when 
sales were resumed at the ports it was at a decline of fifty per cent, from ante-panic 
prices. The losses were cruel to the tobacco trade, many a fortune melted away, and 
many a house went down under the black waters of bankruptcy, never to float on the 
surface again; others struggled on crippled for years by the losses of 1857. Confidence 
was partially restored in the Spring of 185S. and the 1857 crop sold at fair prices, the 
loose crops selling at five cents and upwards according to quality, and, prices on the 
board in proportion. In 1858 the first Italian order was placed on the market, in 1856 
a small order from the French <'ontractor was filled by Mr. Lewis G. Williams, but 
from 1858 on, the Italian contractors sought our tobacco in increasing quantities from 
its home market, and other large European orders followed. The crop of 1858 was of 
t'air size and average quality, and sold loose at five and one-half to six and one-half 
cents, and relatively on the board. In 1859 the Exchange system of selling was 
adopted by the Clarksville warehouses, but sales continued at Linwood, Trice's Land- 
ing and Red River Warehouse. There was nothing specially notable about the crop 
of 1S59, sold in i860; prices ranged approximately to those of the previous year. The 
crop of i860 was of moderate quantity, but mixed in quality, and was pushed forward 
to market early, and prices in 1861 were not materially changed until April, when a 
steady decline set in, lasting until the market closed. 

For six months the whole land had been filled with cries of sectional hatred, and 
the "war between the States'' was precipitated by the attempt to reinforce Fort Sum- 
ter. " Inter arma leges silunt," and capital seeks security, not investment, during such 
troublous times. The market closed here in August, and was not re-established until 
the Spring of 1866. F"rom that time forward its progress has been steady, with increas- 
ing crops and receipts, until this year it will jjrobably reach forty thousand hogsheads. 
The river warehouses below town were graduallv abandoned, the prime cause being 
the transfer of the tobacco trade from New Orleans to New York, and shipments to the 
latter market being mainly made by rail, it was an expensive haul from the lower ware- 
house to the depot, and in 1877 all of the warehouses were concentrated in Clarksville 
except the New Providence Warehouse, which stored in that town but sold her samples 
at the Tobacco Exchange, but that warehouse has also moved over. It was not the 
[Purpose of this article to give an extended history of the Clarksville tobacco trade in 
detail, with the regular statistics of each year, and the course of trade, but merely to 
give an outline of the whole, with a special mentjon of the decade which was important 
in its history, as during that time its "leaf" business took decided form and shape, and 
the leading spirits in the trade so shaped its destiny as to lead it forward to increased 
and increasing prosperity. The ever living present is with us, but it is sometimes well 
to recall the dead past. The system of inspection was changed by law in 1871, from 
independent inspectors elected by the County Court, to the system of making each 



.>90 
uiivhousc [)roprietor ihu insijuttor in h\> own house. This cuulinuccl until the Fall of 
18S5, when by mutual agreement of buyers and sellers, the Tobacco Board of Trail'j 
elected a board of independent inspectors to sample at all of the warehouses. This 
was wise, and has been beneficial to the market. The average receipts of the market 
fr jm 1S50 to 1861 was eleven thousand hogsheads, the smallest being in 1855 of about 
si.\ thousand hogsheads, and the largest in 1856, when over eighteen thousand hogs- 
heads "went down the river." The average receipts from 1866 to 1884 was fifteen 
thousand hogsheads, the smallest being in 1875 of four thousand five hundred hogs- 
heads, and the largest in icSyS of twenty-two thousand five hundred and fifty-four 
hogsheads. The receipts in 1S85 were twenty-eight thousand eight hundred and eleven 
hogsheads, in 1S86 thirty-six thousand and one hogsheads, and forty thousand hogs- 
heads may be reached in 1S87, which places Clarksville second in rank as the largest 
planter's tobacco market in the United States. As the prosperity of the whole city 
depends upon the tobacco trade, we hope under wise management and liberal policy 
it will continue to grow and thrive — and so say, all of us. 

The Tobacco Exch.an(;e. 

We give a cut of the "Tobacco E.xchange,'' which deserves a passing notice, as it 
is the only building worthy of notice built by the tobacco trade of the West, and is 
quite creditable to our city, and the branch of trade which erected it. Although the 
E.xchange system of selling tobacco was adopted in this market by the Clarksville ware- 
houses "before the war," and resumed when tobacco sales were re-established in 1866, 
the trade had no long settled place of meeting. But the warehouses having to furnish 
a salesroom in which to exhibit and dispose of their samples, took a room sometimes 
here, and sometimes there, wherever it might be the most convenient, or cheapest in 
rent, and it is amusing as well as interesting to recall the various rooms, lofts, sheds 
and cellars, both here and in New Providence, where warehousemen and buyers con- 
gregated, and disposed of a great staple, the sales of which footed up into the millions 
before the season was over. Foreign buyers attracted to the market by the reputation 
of " Clarksville tobaccos," were quite astonished at the places they were led into to see 
it sold. 

After the organization of the Board was fully perfected, and a small balance ac- 
cumulated in the treasury, the Secretary suggested that the trade should "go to house- 
keeping, in a home of their own," and the way it might be done, by a tax on the 
purchases and sales to be borne equally by the buyers and "warehousemen. The idea 
took root and grew, and found favor more and more, until steps were taken to reduce 
it to practice. The records show that March 3rd, 1877, resolutions were passed to 
obtain a regular charter under the State laws. November 22nd, 1877, it was agreed 
to form a stock company, and devise plans for raising money, and a tax of ten cents 
I)er hogshead, half paid by buyer, half by warehousemen, was levied. January 2nd, 
1878, resolutions were passed to build a house costing five thousand dollars. May 
i6th, 1878, a State charter was obtained. July 31st, 1878, the charter was presented 




KJHALei I K.\LHA.\(.K 



.>9^ 
to tlie IJoard lij- tlic Sei rctary, and accepted. August .'jtli, I1S7S, the present site ^^.l^ 
chosen by balloting at the Board. October 14th, 1878. it was resolved tc put up a 
building at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars, and the Exchange tax raised to forty 
1 cuts ou ca( h iiogshead sold. The foundation was commenced in \(>\ ember. 1S7S, 
.mil the < orner stone laid with appro])riate ceremonies on December 5tii of the same 
>ear. On January 19th, 1880, the first meeting of the Board was held in tlie new 
building, and the trade had at last " .1 local habitation" as well as a name, and went • 
house-keeping in its own home. The contractors were Messrs. Andrewartha & Co.. 
Louisville, Ky.. but the work was done mainly by Clarksville mechanics. The archi 
tect was Mr. C. G. Ro.senplaenter, the Secretary acting as Chairman of the Building 
C'onmiittee, and general financier. Cash was paid for everything, and the Board ua^ 
at all times in advance to the contractors; to do this, a bonded debt had to be incurred, 
which in due time was litiuidated. 

The main building is four stories high, the rear buikiing rediu etl to two stories tu 
give sky-light to the salesroom. The whole building contains nineteen rooms, included 
in which are the upper hall, fifty feet square, beautifully finished and lighted, and tin- 
sales room, fifty by thirty-five feet. The whole building is warmed by steam, and every 
room contains water and gas. There is a telephone for use of members and tenants, 
and speaking tubes connected with the lower rooms. The building is fitted with all 
the modern conveniences, and has a good cistern in its pretty yard. Two of the rooms 
have fire and burglar-proof vaults, fitting them for bank rooms. The building is of 
brick and stone, built in the most substantial manner, and covered with iron and slate. 
The entire cost of the building and its fittings of water, gas and steam, was in round 
figures twenty-five thousand dollars. 'I'he trade has realized the many aiivantages as 
well as comforts of the house, and it has been the best advertisement the market ever 
had, and receipts and sales have been on a steady increase ever" since the Exchange has 
been occupied". The light is as perfect for exhibiting sam])les as can well be made, and 
they are displayed upon a table tc the best advantage. The house is eijually warmed 
in Winter, and cooled in Summer, and well ventilated at all times. The tobacco 
"boys" keep house in liberal style, and their doors fly o])en hospitably to all comers. 
They deserve their fine house, the result of their own hard work and economy, ami 
they deserve it the more as the\- are always foremost in aiding otlu-r cn'.crpri^o of 1' 
town. 

Ki>\ i\; Smiih. 

Among the many conimcn uil marts of ('larks\illc, none are .dicad ol that owned 
and operated by the well tried and high toned gentlemen whose nanus .ippe.ir ab.i\c. 
This firm is in the general hardware and im|)lement Ixisiness, luit at ilic same time 
carries a large stock of stoves and tinware. It also i ontracts largely for tin ri'ofiiig 
and guttering. Everything that is to be fotiiul in the first (lass houses in their line in 
large cities is to be found constantly on hand on one or the other of the \arious lloors 
of the house of Fox & Smith. The firm is made up of F. K. Fox and 1'. H. Smith, 
and occupies the magnificent building on Franklin street, opposite the Opera House. 



393 

that was constructed and occupied b) the late Henry Kre< h. It was establislied Sep 
teniber ist, 1865, just after the (lose of the war, when Fox iS: Smith bought the sto<k 
of hardware that had originally belonged to I-'rank Heaumont, and afterwards to Rob 
bins it Brother. For the first ten years that Fox & Smith were partners, their store was 
about where Roai h &: Hro. are now located, but from 1876 to the latter jiart of 1887 
thev ore upied a large Imilding on the north side of P'ranklin street, near I'irst. 'I'he 
house the\- now have is one ot the finest and best built houses in die city, being twenty- 
three by one hundred and eighty feet in the clear, three stories high, with a full length 
basement and a sub-cellar. They have now over three thousand feet more floor spat e 
than they had in the last house they occupied. 'I'he storeroom of Fox & Smith is one 
of the most attractive in Tennessee, as the shelving contrasts well and are filled with 
.dl kinds of glistening hardware, guns, cutlery, fishing tackle, and other fancy goods. 
Kverything about the jjremises is faultlessly clean, and the make up upon the whole i> 
ex( eedingly attractive. The entire house is filled with heavy goods from c ellar 10 roof 
and the firm is doing a successful and elegant business. 

Ferdinand F. Fox, the active and popular senior member of the hardware and 
implement firm of Fox & Smith, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, May 22nd. 
1.S38. and is a son of the late John V. ami Frances Fox. F,arly in the life of F. !•'. 
Fox. his parents became citizens of Todd ( ounty, Ky., and he spent his boyhood davs 
there. re<eiving his edu< ation in log school houses. 
His first business venture was in a grocery at Trenton, 
Ky.. where the postoffice was also located, and he 
remained there for some time, but on the 4th of March, 
1857, he planted his foot for the lirst time on the streets 
of Clarksville and went into the hardware store of 
Fall & Turnley, where he served three years as a clerk 
and general heljjcr. He then bought out the interest 
of Mr. Fall, and the firm style changed to Turnley & 
Fox, which remained and pros])ered until 1862, when 
the ravages of war knoi ked busine.ss tojisy-turvy in the 
city, .\fter thiij Mr. Fox engaged in any and all kinds 
of honorable work he could get to do until the close of 
the war in 1865, when the present firm of Fox & Smith was organized, since which 
time both himself and partner have met with the most satisfactory success. On the 9th 
of May, 1861, Mr. P'ox was married to Miss Amanda F". F^Iy, a member of one of the 
oldest and best known families of the county. Nine children, twrj of whom are dead, 
were born to this union; but the following are yet alive and well: Mrs. H. \\ Hollins. 
John K., Lottie, Sallie, Kdgar VV., Alice, and F. F. Fox, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Fox belong 
to the Baptist Church, and he is a proud and working member of that most benevolent 
order, the Knights of Honor. 

'I'homas H. Smith was born in Louisa county, Virginia, August 22nd, 18,51. In 
the .Autumn of 1837 his ))arents moved west and settled on a farm near Trenton, 'Todd 





.V)4 
county, Kentuckv. where the subject of this skt-lc h was raised, working on the farm 
and attending the common schools of the country. In the Autumn of 185 i he went 
west, remaining in Missouri during the Winter, and in 
the S]jring of 1S52 he made a trip across the plains to 
Cahfornia. with Major I.. R. Bradley, afterwards Gov 
ernor of Nevada, returning to Missouri in 1853, across 
the plains, and again in 1854 crossing to California, 
these tri])s at that time re(iuiring six to seven months. 
He remained in California until September, 1856, when 
he made a visit to his parents, who being advanced in 
years begged that he should remain near them during 
their lives. In February. 1857, he came to Clarksville 
and entered the employ of Brockman & Porter, and 
was afterwards of the firm of Waller & Smith, queens- 
ware, and later of the firm of Porter & Smith, imple- 
ments. In September, 1861, upon the second call for troops for the Confederate army, 
he enlisted as a private in Captain James E. Bailey's Company, which afterwards be 
came Company A, of the Forty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment, Volunteer Infantry. Thi^ 
regiment was surrendered at the fall of Fort Donelson, and was sent to Camp Douglass, 
Chicago, where it remained until September, 1862, when it was exchanged at Vicks- 
l)urg. Miss. At the reorganization of the command at Clinton, Miss., he was elected 
Captain of Company H, Forty-Ninth Tennessee Infantry, in which capacity he served 
until the close of the war, doing garrison duty at Port Hudson until May, 1863. He 
was in the battle of Jackson, Miss., July 6th and 7th, 1863, after which the command 
was on duty in Mississippi and at Mobile, Alabama. In May, 1864, it joined the army 
of Tennessee at New Hope Church, Georgia, taking part in the fights there and also on 
the line to Kennesaw. Captain Smith was then taken sick and sent to the hospital, but 
rejoined the command July 21st, 1864, at Atlanta, and remained with the command 
( onstantly until at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., November 30th, 1864, when he was 
dangerously wounded and taken to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained until 
March 20th, 1865; then he went to prison at Louisville, and thence to Camp Chase, 
but later on he was sent east for exchange, arriving at Richmond April ist, 1865. Not 
being able for duty he remained in the rear of the army until after the surrender, arriv- 
at home about the middle of June still suffering from his wounds, and was inactive until 
September ist, 1S65, when he and F. F. Fox began the sale of hardware in Clarksville, 
in which he is still engaged. Captain Smith was married to Miss Priscilla T. Withers, 
of Lincoln county, Ky., November 30th, 1858, and two children have been born to 
them, the only one living being Charles W. Smith, who is engaged in business with 
I'ox & Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are devout members of the Christian Church, he 
being an elder thereof. He is at present a member of the Board of Mayor and 
Aldermen, and is also a member of the Clarksville Lc)dge No. 232. Knights of 
Honor. 



395 
I.iuis (Jauchai. 
One of the most liainlsonie .md attractive stores in Clarksville is the jewelry eslah- 
lishnieiit ot" Mr. I.. (Jaiuhat. No. 57 FrankHn street. The entire jiremiscs are lilled 
with wares that belong to an exckisive jewelry house, and these everybody knows in< lude 
diamonds, watches, clocks, silverware, jewelry of all 
kinds, and assorted rare bric-a-brac. This store-room 
is twenty by seventy-five feet in size, having a full glass 
front and plentv of light at the rear, and is furnished 
with the most modern show cases, while the wall cases 
on both sides are enclosed with glass. The stock i> 
being constantly replenished with the ver\- best and 
finest of goods, while there is no end to the assortment 
of watches, clocks, spectacles, eye-glasses, and varie- 
gated jewelrv. Louis (iauihat, the founder and pro- 
prietor of this beautiful anil thrifty establishment, was 
born in French .Switzerland, on the 4th of April. 1835. 
and emigrated to North .\merica, August ist, 1866. 

He came South in rS68, and arrived at Clarksville in 1876. He opened a watc h mak- 
ing and rejiairing sho|) here and prospered well so far as his business was concerned 
until the I)ig fire of 1878. when he was burned out, lock, stock and barrel, losing 
everything he had. Init his clear grit and energy brought him to the front again, and 
he began life anew, but with renewed determination to make the future a certain sm - 
cess. In this he was victorious, as evidenced by the elegant stock he now carries and 
the large number of patrons and friends he has the pleasure of enjoying. Mr. Gauchat 
keeps employed his eldest son, Lee T. (iauchat, as a salesman, and Mr. O. R. King, 
an e.xpert watchmaker, jeweler, repairer, and engraver, but during holiday times he 
employs extra help in the store in order to accommodate the run that is made upon 
him. Mr. Gauchat married Miss E. P. Cowardin. a native of Todd county, Ky.. and 
four children have been born to them. Since his residence in the United States, Mr. 
Gauchat has never been naturalized, and consequently is still a subject under his native 
flag. 

Ci. KRKsvii.i.F, Ice Factorv axu Hoi ii.inc Wokks. 




This new and much ap[)reciated enterprise was established in 18S1 by the Howliu" 
Ijrothers, George S. and James M. Bowling. They first leased the privilege of Poston's 
Spring, then owned by M. V. Ingram, and purchased a three ton plant, which cost 
about seven thousand dollars. Up to this time the city had been supplied with natural 
and lake ice at from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars and fifty cents per hun- 
dred. The machine ice, made from pure fresh spring water, being clear as crystal and 
so much superior, at once took the place of all other. The price was also reduced to 
sixty-five cents per hundred wholesale and one dollar retail. .\t that time three tons 
|)er day overstocked the market, but towards the close of the season the factory couki 



396 
not half supply the wan;. ["he next year Mr. Ed. I'urnley was admitted as a partner, 
and the firm of Bjwling Bros. & Turnley purchased the spring and lot of eleven acre- 
of ground for fifteen hundred dollars, .sold the three ton machine and put in a five ton 
plant costing ten ih nisand dollars. One or two years later Mr. Turnley sold his interest 
to Bowling Brothers, aid in 1884 they connected a bottling works with their ice busi- 
ness, manufacturing carbonate waters with capacity for two hundred cases of twenty-four 
hottles per day. The business still increased to that extent that they were obliged tn 
put in another five ton machine, making their capacity ten tons per day, which wa^ 
done in 1885. In 1887 Cunningham Bros, bought a one-third interest in the ice fac- 
tory, teams, etc., which interest is represented in the concern by John Cunningham: 
the Bowling Bros, at the same time buying an interest in Cunningham Bros." coal an<: 
feed store business, establishing the firm of Bowling Bros. & Cunningham. During a 
part of the season of 1887, the ice factory could scarcely supply the demand with both 
machines running. Bowling Bros, have all the time given their personal ittention t- 
the business, managing it with the greatest economy possible, building up by degree^, 
and gaining valuable experience, -which is half the capital in manufacturing ice on . 
large scale. In the beginning it was a losing business, from the excess of labor requircn 
to keep a stock on hand until the public, as well as the managers, were educated to the 
system. It is something like the lumber business. If the saw mill can be kept going 
and the lumber sold as fast as cut, the bu.siness is very profitable ; but if the saw is idle 
from breakage or bad management, labor calling for its wages all the same, and lumber 
stacked on the yard unsold, the owner will soon have the Sheriff instead of the saw 
buzzing about his ear. The Clarksville Ice Factory enjoys one great advantage over 
nine out of ten such enterprises, and that is cold spring water for condensing the 
auionia, as well as the advantage of making pure clean ice. The distilled water needs 
thorough cooling, and the amonia, traveling as a vavor for miles through the extensive 
worm in the freezing vat, needs a rapid change of cooling water in the condensing 
tank, and these advantages have greatly lessened expenses and contributed to its well 
merited success. 

Dr. George Snadon Bowling was born February 20th, 1853, in Christian county. 
Kentucky, raised on the farm and educated at Bethel College, Russellville, Ky. , and 
Warren Millitary Institute, Bowling Green, Ky. In 1875 he attended the medical 
department of Vanderbilt University, and then returned to fanning in Christian count}' 
up to 1880. when he moved to Clarksville and engaged in the ice business. Dr. Bow- 
ling is the eldest son of Dr. Henry G. and Sallie (Snadon) Bowling, of English descent. 
He is a nephew of Dr. William K. Bowling, who was so eminently known in Nashville, 
and a grandson of that grand old physician. Dr. James B. Bowling, who lived and died 
near .\dairville, Ky., so much beloved and honored by the people of Logan county. 
Dr. George S. Bowling was married February 12th. 1876, to Miss Lady Smiley Bugg. 
daughter of Samuel and Catherine Bugg. of Nashville. Dr. Bowling was elected a 
Director in the Farmers and Merchants National Bank, of Clarksville, last year, and 
still holds that position. Dr. Bowling and wife are members of the Presbyterian 



( - 




39« 
Muircli. I'liey liavc a lnvcly and most hospitahlt' home on the ruincr of Kitth and 
Madison street, opposite the Baptist Church, anil contrilnite hirgely to the good of 
society and general advancement of the city and ( mmtr)- 

James Mortimer Bowling was horn November 5th. 1854, on a farm in Christian 
1 oiinty, Ky.. near Hopkinsville. a son of Dr. Henry ( i. and Sallie (Snadon) BowUng. 
He was educated at Bethel. College, Russellville. Ky., and Warren Military Institute, 
iiowling Green, Ky. .After completing his education in 1876, he commenced clerking 
in a shoe house in Hopkinsville, at the same time settling his father's estate, who died 
soon after he returned from .school. In the Fall of 1879 he came to Clarksville, open 
ing a shoe store, with Henry B. Willson as partner. They came here as strangers with 
little experience, but by judicious advertising and attention to customers, soon built up 
a very large and lucrative business. Having engaged extensively in the ice business, 
with large capital invested, in September, 1885, he sold out the shoe business, and after 
admitting Cunningham Bros, as i)artners in the ice business in the Spring of 1887. he 
bought F. G. Williams splendid farm of three hundred and twenty acres in the junction 
of Red River and the Russellyille pike, whicli he will devote to grass growing and 
stock raising. .\Ir. Bowling is jointly interested with his uncle. Dr. James M. Bowling, 
of Na.shville, (who has recently bought a home on .Madison street and contemplates ' 
moving here) in the erection of a magnificent family vault in (Ireenwood Cemetery, 
costing several thousand dollars, built by Hodgson & Son. Mr. James M. Bowling was ! 
married January 9th, 1878, to Mi.ss Sallie Sugg, born May 25th, 1858, daughter of 
Colonel Cyrus F. Sugg, of Montgomery county, who was killed while in command of 
his regiment on the Confederate side at the battle of Mission Ridge. Three children 
have been born to this marriage. The first died in infancy. Mattie Bell, the second, 
a very lovely little girl, is the only one surviving. George Mortimer, the youngest, 
died at four years of age. Mr. Bowling is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He 
is a public spirited citizen, taking an interest in everything calculated to advance the 
general interests of Clarksville. Himself and wife are both active members of the 
Methodist Church, and hospitable people. They have a beautiful residence on Madison 
street, a splendid specimen of architecture, of Mrs. Bowling's own planning. 

Fr.ank Fiedkriinc. 

The only exclusive cigar and tobacco store in Clarksville is that of Frank Fieder- 
ling, at No. 55 Franklin street, where everything in the smokers and chewers line is 
constantly on hand in profusion. The storeroom is twenty by sixty feet in size, and 
the fixtures are as neat as the average tony cigar stores of much larger cities. Besides 
a general line of foreign made goods, Mr. Fiederling has in stock various brands of 
cigars of his own manufacture, together with plug, fine cut and natural leaf chewing 
tobaccos of nearly all known makes. His show cases are filled with smokers' articles 
of all kinds, including meerschaum, briar root and earthen pipes and cigar holders, 
snuflf boxes, etc. Mr. Fiederling is another one of Clarksville's self-made men. He 
was born at Henderson, Ky. , December 28th, 1856, the son of Joseph and Mary 



399 

Ficderling. and was educated partly at Henderson and partly at Evansville, Ind. He 
(luit school at the age of sixteen and began learning his trade under John Reichart a: 
Henderson, and after becoming an exjiert cigar maker, worked for his old boss for 
thirteen years. In the latter part of 1S76 he left Henderson and wandered to Cincin- 
nati, St. Louis. Louisville, and other cities, where he did journeyman's work unti' 
18S1, when he arrived at C'larksville and settled down in the house he now occupies. 
Since his residence here he has made a grand success of his business, and to-day is 
worth a consideralile sum of money and has a splendid credit anywhere, provided he 
wanted to use that system of business. Soon after starting here Mr. Fiederling began 
the manufacture of the celebrated "Belle of Clarksville" cigar, which is still the most 
])opular brand in the city. One of his most recent pleasing makes is the ''Arlington ' 
cigar, a brand named in honor of Ciarksville's new and elegant hotel. Mr. Fiederling 
is a hard worker, considerate in his modes, honest in his acts, and as clever as a man 
can be. He married Miss Hannah Schofield, of Henderson, and while she is a devout 
Episcopalian, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and belongs to the Unifcrm 
Rank, taking great interest in the order. 

L F. Bki.i.. 

Cosily fixed in his new and comfortable store-room, at No. 34 Franklin street, 
-Mr. J. F. Bell is unquestionably happy and content. His business includes boots and 
shoes, gents' furnishing goods, hats and caps, and other specialties that are too numer- 
ous to undertake to name. The store is quite an attractive one from the fact that Mr. 
Bell has only occupied it since R. W. Roach & Brother moved to their magnificent new 
Iniilding on Franklin street, next to Lockert & Reynolds, and upon entering it the 
premises were improved and greatly beautified, as was also the stock of goods that Mr. 
Bell now offers the public. The main floor is twenty by one hundred and thirty-five 
feet in the clear, is well lighted and is first-class in every respect. John Frances Bell 
is a native of Christian county, Ky., born January 12th, 1858, and is a son of John H. 
and Mary S. Bell. He was reared on a farm and received a primary course at the 
common school at Trenton, Ky. , but afterward took a full course at Bethany College, 
West Virginia. His first business venture was with Philip Lieber, in merchandise, and 
he remained with that gentleman four years, after which he removed to the country and 
lived two years. He returned to Clarksville and bought out the boot and shoe store 
of Bowling & Willson, but was burned out in the big fire of April, 1887, after which 
he took the stand that he occupied up to November, 1887, when he moved to his 
])resent location. He is an excellent business man, honest and upright, and has the 
full confidence of the public. In December, 1884, Mr. Bell was married to Mrs. War- 
field, a daughter of Dr. N. L. Northington, and to the union one child, Sallie, has 
been born. Mr. Bell affiliates with the Christian Church, and belongs to the Knights 
of Pythias. Mrs. Bell is an enthusiastic and working member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



400 
Kil.ll'>i: SiAiii I-.. 
Ill tlic year 1866, the tirin n( Ro;u li \- Dirk ( auscil to be erected at the corner of 
Se( onil ami Strawberry streets, a uKininiotli livery and sales stable, whose area is one 
'lundred and eighty by two hundreil and twenty feet, fronting on both streets and back- 
ing to a twenty foot alley. I'his tlie\ named Echpse Stable, and it is still in existence, 
notwithstanding the disastrous fires that have nearly devastated Clarksville since its 
construction. During the big conflagrations of 1878 and 1887, great showers of ignited 
tinders rained upon the roof of the naturall>' firc-]jroof Eclipse, but the |)roperty was s<j 
well guarded that it was saved, td^ethcr witli the many packages of horse flesh it con- 
tained. This commodious ■■horse hotel" has large and comfortable stalls for accom- 
modating one hundred and lifteen heatl. besides shelter for any number ot vehicles. 
The transient business of this stal)le has always been large, and upon the whole it has 
been a great success to its various owners. In i<S7i Mr. C. S. Daniel purchased the 
property aiul ran the business for some years alone, and then it changed hands a time 
or two. but later the stable became the property oft'. S. Daniel & Brother. It was 
rented ami run by Mr. James I', (iill for a year or two. but in 1886 Mr. (_'. S. Daniel 
again took charge, and later the present firm, Daniel & Buckner, was formed. The 
!iew firm has continued to meet the old prosperity for which the Eclipse is noted, and 
there is no lack of business in and about the preu-iises. Every convenience necessar\ 
for a first-i lass boarding house for horses is found in the Eclipse: it is clean, well ven- 
tilated, equipped with plenty of good fresh water, and has four large outlets for animals 
in case a fire should by any unknown agency occur there. 

W. Frank Buckner, junior member of the firm 
of Daniel & Buckner, was born at Oak (Irove, 
Christian lountv, Kcntut k\", Jime ijth, 1843, his 
parents being l-'rank W. and Sarah E. ((;ordon) 
l!u(kner. -\lr. I'.uckner was educated at Bethel 
(cillege, Russellville, K.)., and at Stewart College, 
Clarksville. He was a student in the latter institu- 
tion when .Sum|)ter was fired upon, and as soon as 
])ossiblc he be<ame a member of the Second Ken- 
tuc k\' Confederate Ca\alry, as a private, but in 
i8(j2 was promoteii to Second Lieutenant, which 
place he held throughout the bloody contest. l''rom 
1865 to 1870 he followed farming, but in the latter 
year made Hopkinsville his home and engaged in 
the tobacco business as an inspector, until 1883. 
when he went back to fantiing. In 1885 he moved 
to New Providence and followed the tobacco busi- 
ness, but later that year came to Clarksville, where he afterwards became a member of 
the firm of Parish, Buckner & Co., tobacco commission merchants, and this firm lasted 
one vear when it dissolved, and .Mr. Buckner was elected one of the insjjectors of 




40I 

lohacco tor t'lark.sviilc. ami also liccaiiic a meiiiher of ihc firni of Daniel iS: liiu kiu-r ih 
ilic stable luisiiiess. In October, 18S7. he was again elected tobacco inspei lor. and 
still londm ts both enterprises. He is a man of the highest typed integrity and honor, 
full of energy, and enjoys the full confidence of the public In 1.S67 he married Miss 
Hattie R. Elliott, daughter of Colonel W. H. Elliott, and lour ( hildren are the fruits 
of the union. Elliott, Gordon \V.. Annie and Lewis Buckner. Mr. and Mrs. l!u( kner 
:ire members of the Methodist ('hur< h. and he belongs to the KniLjlits of l'\thi:is anil 
Ivnights of Honor. 

Cole S. Daniel, the senior niendier of the firm of D.uiiel iv: Huikner. is a nati\e of 
-Montgomery county, and a son of Cole Spencer and .Martha .\. Daniel. (.See page 
311.) He was born in iiS46. and educated in country sriiools. Since his earl\ man- 
hood lie has been a li\e. energetic business man. with \aried o( c upation. hut his 
greatest ambition was to own and conduct a first-class stable, and to follow horse trad- 
on high honoral)le principal. In this he has been pre-eminently successful, .ind is now 
a leading s])irit. Mr. Daniel marrieil a daughter of Thomas Jones, of .Moutgonicr\- 
county, and to ihem four children have been born. Holh are mend)ers of the .Mi-iluj- 
dist ( 'hur( h. 

Thk Kkankiin Housk. 

Cave Holmes, one of the best known Ohio ,ind .Mississippi River pilois, lielween 
the ( ities of Louisville and New Orleans, first turned a wheel in the Cumber!, iiid. and 
for many years managed the helm of steamers from Nashville out. Up. in being ipics- 
tioned regarding his memory of Clarksville, C'aptain Holmes said ; •• Do 1 kuou ( 'larks- 
ville? Well yes. I remember the corners of the old National Hotel as landmarks lor 
my jackstaff when either going uj) or coming <Iown ili'- Cumberland.' So liii, old 
hosteleric that now bears the name Franklin House, is known to iIiousjikN oi people 
who are .scattered all over the world. It has l.ieen ulili/ed lor a siop|jing pLu e for 
strangers and visitors for sixty years, and if its old walls < oiild talk. the\' < oiild tell of 
many pleasant and unpleasant incidents that have long sine e been torgotten. Who ihe 
original owner of this buikling was the oldest inhabitant sa\eth not. It is known, how- 
ever, that in old-time steamboat days it was calletl tlie ( uiiiberland House for .1 long 
time, and prior to 1S55 it bore the name Tennessee House, and once it was railed the 
I'lanter'.s Hotel, .\bout 1S55 Mr. Spurrier became proprietor of the house .iiul named 
it the National Hotel, and under this title it flourished llnel\- iinlil about I'^ds. u hen 
r. D. Scott took control of its destinies, and then its name changed to Scott's .National 
Hotel. During the time Spurrier had the house a strong syndicate of capitalists 
formed a pool and erected a \er)- fine hotel on the north side of Publu Sipiare. and 
this was called the Southern Hotel. Everybody thought when this was opened to the 
public that the National would surely go into oblivion, but in this the |iublic was mis- 
taken, for the old castle brushed up and came to the front in a new suit, and for a lew 
years there was strong opjiosition in the hotel line, but the old landmark held iier ow n 
and at last succeeded in breaking down at least half a dozen companies th.it .iiienipted 
to bolster up the new ri\al. Finally the Southern closed its doors, and lor \ears the 




4C2 

liO'.ise l.iiil iillc. anii eventually w.is made \>\n of the I'eoiiles Warehouse, for vvhl< h it 
i-; now nlili/ed. In i.Sjr Mr. Scott gave up the famous old hotel and leased it to .Mr. 
W. R. r.iinghurst. who then changed its name ti 
the Franklin House. He is still the proprietor and i- 
flourishing finely with it. There are first-class acconi 
inodations for about sixty guests in the house, wIk 
are w;jll atte'ided to. The hotel has a long list o- 
regular hoarders, and is now a paying institution. Ii 
is said that during the war Mr. Spurrier made consid- 
erahle money with the hotel, from the fact that it wa- 
constantly packed with army officers and guests I'roni 
the North and East. W. R. Bringhurst, the present 
energetic and clever proprietor of the Franklin House. 
"as horn in Clarksville. November 4th, 1844, the day 
James K. I'olk was elected President of these Unitei! 
States. His parent-^ « ere W. R. and Julia .\1. Bringhurst, two of Montgomery county ~ 
oldest citizens. He was evhu.itcd here, attending the common school and Stewar; 
College. His first business venture was in the grocery business, as middle man in the 
fir.n of Hutchison. Bringhurst & Bell, and this lasted three years, when he sold out anil 
went to Sebree C"ity. Ky.. and ]-ut in five years in the tobacco and merchandise busines>. 
but in 1875 he returned to (."larksville and took charge of the Franklin House. In iSdc 
lie married .Miss Sallie .Scn;t, daughter of William Scott, of Hopkinsville, and to tlii- 
union eight childrji hive be^n bjrn. Mr. and .Mrs. Bringhurst are members of thi 
Methodist Church, and he belongs to the Knights of Honor. 

I'. V. i\K.\^h\ & Hkci. 

.Among the progressive anil wide awake men of the Cumberland Valley, none are 
ni.)re i'onsi>icuous than Captain Frank P. (Iraceyand his brother Mathew. who com 
pi)se the firm whose name adorns the caption ol this article. They are beacon light- 
for the commerce of the Cumberland, and signals of success for the welfare of Clarks 
ville and her people at large. They are of Cerman-Irish origin, being sons of Mathew 
and .Maria (Tilford) Ciracey. citizens of Eddy ville, Ky, , and this lineage accounts for 
the pluck and energy they possess, which is without limit. These brothers (together 
with s.'ven other children of their parents were educated at the schools in Eddyville) 
are self-made men in the strictest sense of the meaning of that sterreotyped expression. 
They possess rare business qualities and the highest sense of honor and integrity. 

Captain Frank Patton Gracey was born June 30th, 1834. .After receiving his 
eiiucation he commenced business as a clerk in Hickman, Ky., in 1850, and in 1852 
took the position of clerk on the .steamer A>iii-n\;j, a fine boat operating between Nash, 
ville ami New Orleans, and from that on was connected with steamboating in various 
capacities up to November loth, 1857. on which date he married Miss Irene Cobb, 
(daughter of I>r. Joshua Cobb, a distinguished physician and citizen of Clarksville) 



403 
lioin November 15th. i8_^8. a lad\ of s|>leiiMid aeeom •li>li;ii-,'iu>. I'liey lia'vo one chiiti. 
Uilien, a young man of estimable character and business i|u ililicalions, now connet led 
with the law department of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Monigonier\. Ala. 
Captain Clracey settled down at Eddyville in the mercantile and" tobacco l)usine.ss. wl\i( h 
he continued until i<S6i. when he entered the confederate service as Lieutenant i:i 
t"omi)aiiy F. I'hird Kentucky Infantry, mustered into service at Camp I'.oone. in 
Moiugomerv county, Tenn., near the State line (the neutrality of Kentucky forbade 
the formation of military organizations in that State) and the command was soon ordered 
to Howling Green, Ky., where Company F was detailed to take charge of a battery of 
light artillery. After the promotion of General Lyon and Major Robert Cobb. Capiain 
Gracey became commander of the artillery, and 

distinguished himself in many sanguinary contests. y ■■, 

engaging in all the battles of the Western army up _^: \ 

to May 15th, 1865, when the Western department ,*pS' % 

surrendered at Paris. Captain Gracey was seriously 
wounded at Kennesaw Mountain, and was slighth 
wounded in several other engagements. The Con 
federacy never had a braver, more gallant soldier. 
The Cobb Hattery was known and trusted for its 
efficiency, and was sent to the front in all engage- 
ments where genius, gallantry, cool discretion and 
good tactics were essential. Captain Gracey turned 
the tide of battle in favor of Southern arms on more 
than one occasion, and was one of the most useful 
men in the construction of pontoons and business 
details in campaign life. He was as generous in 
bearing as gallant, and was therefore pojiular with 
his men, who were always ready to follow where he would lead. The parole on sur- 
render forbade his going north of the Tennessee line without special permit from the 
Secretary of War. This little prohibition clause decided his fortune: he could not 
return to his home and former business, and therefore settled in Clarksville, where 
Mrs. Gracey's father and relatives still lived. In February, 1866, his brother Matt 
came to Clarksville and they established a wharf-boat, the first and for manv vears the 
only convenience of the kind at the Clarksville wharf. Matt took charge of the office 
work and Captain Frank the outdoor business, dealing also in coal, hay, corn. salt. etc. 
There was not a more active, energetic firm in Clarksville, and no firm has ever com- 
manded a higher regard and confidence of the i)iil)lic. The Gracey brothers employed 
many wagons and drays in their business, and about 1869 organized under charter, the 
Clarksville Transportation Com))any, which enabled them to contract with the Louis 
ville & Nashville Railroad Company for the delivery of all freight ship|)ed over that 
line to Clarksville. This revolutionized the dray business and established the most 
economical, convenient and prom])t delivery system known. The contract o\ this 





I imipany was to deliver goods in the storehouses lor three cents per hundred, whicli 
is I laid by the railroad. Before this system was established in Clarksville every 
merchant had to look out for his own goods; go to the depot, pay charges, and emplo\ 
a dray at fifty ( ents per load. This has grown with the business of the city, until it 
numbers fifty or sixty drays and wagons, employing as many drivers at liberal wages, 
.ind at busy seasons employing all the wagons to be had in the trade. In addition to 
this immense business, they handle large cjuantities of coal, grain, hay. etc.. having a 
house for that purpose which covers an acre of ground. The system is so perfect that 
it is managed with the assistance of four clerks, who are permanently with the house : 
.Mr. (iracey Childers, principal clerk in Mr. Matt Gracey's office; Mr. Wesley Perkins, 
clerk and manager on the wharf-boat; Mr. AValter F. Glasscock, manager of wagon> 
in the delivery of freight, and Dr. George C. Dorch in charge of the coal and grain 
department. Captain Gracc\ has been very fortunate in his operations, having accum- 
ulated a handsome forur.ic, directing his investments mostly in the interest, general 
growth and prosperit\ of the city. He is owner of the Gracey Warehouse and the 
Grange Warehouse, the large grain depot, and several 
sheds for tobacco storage. About 1880 he bought the 
old Stacker farm up the river, one hundred acres utterl\ 
worn out, when he commenced experimenting in re 
claiming exhausted land and grass growing, succeeding: 
l^l^i 4, wonderfully in bringing the place up to a high degree 

§PSt^ ^^ of fertility and production. This farm he carefully 

stocked with choice bred Holstein and Jersey cattle. 
Cheshire hogs, and various breeds of fowls, giving sonic 
attention to the culture of grapes, berries and vegeta- 
bles, all of which is under the control and management 
of Mr. Ellis. In the reorg.mization of the Indiana. 
Alabama & Texas Railroad, after the sale by Major 
E. C. Gordon to the Louisville & Nashville Company, Captain Gracey was elected 
President of the Company, taking charge of the construction completing the line to 
Princeton. Ky. Captain Gracey is owner of a large body of iron lands; is interested 
in coal mining, in the Clarksville Water Company, Gas Company, Street Railway, and 
in fact is connected with every progressive enterprise of the city. He is a man of ex- 
extraordinary business capacity and energy, possessing a strong intellect, and no man 
has ever exercised a greater influence over the people of Clarksville. He is of a 
benevolent nature, generous and kind in his dealings with all people, and charitable in 
the broadest sense. 

Mathew Gracey, junior member of the firm, is a gentleman of great business 
capacity, of high moral character, c|uiet and anaiable in his intercourse, generous and 
sociable, and strictly reliable in every particular. He was born March 4th, 1847, and 
came here and entered business with his brother. Captain Frank, in 1866, since which 
lime he has managed the office business. He was married November 30th, 1876, to 




405 
Miss Marion t'. Castner, daughter of Dr. W. J. and Mary (Beaumont) Castner, born 
October 21st, ,1851, a lady of charming graces, possessing all of those amiable qualities 
which make up lovely womanhood. They have four interesting children, Lucy C. 
Frank P., Mary B., and Matt, Jr. Mr. Gracey is a member of the Knights of Pythias. 
,ind himself .nnd wife lioth zealous members of the Episcopal Church. 

Thk House of Cornelius. 

The continuous clatter of innumerable hammers that are engaged beating tin and 
sheet iron into every and all shapes, is the confusing sound that greets one's ears when 
passing the establishment of C. Mehigan & Co., No. 5 Franklin street. This enter- 
prising firm is engaged in the stove and tinware business, and contracts for tin roofing, 
guttering, spouting, and household supplies of every kind that can be made of tin and 
galvanized or sheet iron. The members of the firm are Cornelius Mehigan, Sr. . and 
P. F. Kirby, who have been partners since 1875, ^^'^ occupied since then the "House 
of Cornelius." which name they gave their business place some years ago. The store 
is twenty-two by ninety-four feet in size, and is filled with stoves of all kinds and pat- 
terns, manufactured tin goods and other such wares as are generally to be found in a 
first-class store of this kind. There is a repair shop annexed, where all kinds of work 
is executed in the best style and on very short notice. The members of the firm are 
progressive and always awake to business, and enjoy the fullest confidence of the Clarks- 
ville public. They are prosperous and have been very successful in all they have 
undertaken. 

Cornelius Mehigan. Sr. , is a native of Erin's green soil, and was born in May, 
1843. He came to America with his parents when an infant, but at the age of twelve 
years he returned to Ireland and remained two years, when he again crossed the wide 
ocean for this, his adopted country. He first stopped at Waverley, Mass., and then 
went to Toledo, O., where he remained awhile and learned his trade. Afterwards he 
drifted South and located at New Providence, Tenn., in 1859, where he opened a shop 
and conducted the tin business until July, 1885, when he came to Clarksville, and the 
firm of C. Mehigan & Co. was formed. In 1871 he married Miss Irene Ogburn. 
daughter of John Ogburn, of Montgomery county, and to the union seven children 
were born, five of whom, Julian, Richard, Virginia, Cornelius Jr., and William, arc 
living. Mrs. Mehigan is a member of the Methodist Church, and her husband is a 
good citizen and honest man. 

Patrick F. Kirby, the junior member of the firm of C. Mehigan & Co., is of Irish 
origin, but was born in Clarksville about twenty-seven years ago. He was educated 
in the schools here, and while Mr. Mehigan had a shop at New Providence, Pat was 
taken in to learn his trade. He made an apt scholar, was very industrious, and in 
course of time proved himself to be of the most honorable principals. When Mehigan 
came to Clarksville, Pat came with him, and his name went into the compact that has 
since flourished so finely in the tin business. Mr. Kirby married Miss Belle Brandon, 
daughter of Major Stephen Brandon, of Montgomery county, and three fine sons, 



4o6 
Stephen. Joseph and Richard, are the res'ilt of the union. Mr. Kirby belongs to the 
Catholic Knights of America, and both he and Mrs. Kirby are devout members of the 
Roman Catholic Church. 

PukKRIXi; iS: Wll.KKKSON. 

Dne of the neatest and coziest confectionaries in this part of i"ennes.see is that ol 
Pickering & Wilkerson on Franklin street, near Second. The room is twenty-two by 
>eventy-five feet in the clear, and the furniture in it contrasts well in every particular, 
while the stock is always t'resh and of the rarest quality. Tropical and domestic fruits 
•ire features of their trade, and in these they handle only the most choice. The firm 
•las a bakery of its own, and constantly has a supply of cakes in variety and bread of 
their own make. This firm was established in 1885. and since then has done a flour- 
ing business. 

J. G. Pickering was born in this citv twentv-seven vears ago. and is a son of 
County Trustee R. H. Pickering. He was educated in the schools here, and for eight 
years afterwards was employed at Ely's confectionery, where he learned his business. I 
He married Miss Pearl Frost, of Murfreesboro, and they have one .son. R. H. Picker- ! 
:ng, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering are members of the Methodist Church, and he belongs J 
to the Knights of Pythias. 

J. L. Wilkerson is a native of Montgomery county, born July. 1S49. the son of 
J. \V. Wilkerson, of near Hermitage, Wilson county, Tenn., and was educated in the 
common schools in the vicinity of his birth place. He arrived in Clarksville in 1870 
and clerked eleven years for Rice, Broaddus & C'o., in dry goods, after which he served 
Coulter Bros, four years in like capacity. In 1885 he became a partner of J. G. Pick- 
ering, and has succeeded well. He is well adapted to business, and is highly esteemed 
by this community. He is single, and belongs to the Methodist Church. 

Mr>. William Ro.sknkielh. 

One of the neatest and most cheerful business places in Clarksville is that of Mrs. 
Rosenfield. at No. 53 Franklin street, where the ladies find everything in the millinery 
and dress-making line, and goods of the finest fabrics. This store is very tastefully 
arranged, the fi.xtures all contrasting well, while the display windows, show cases, and 
wall cases, are constantly filled with silks, ribbons, trimmings, novelties, and ready 
made salable articles. The cloak and dress making departments are large and well 
stocked, and upon the whole, the place is a first-class establishment. In i866, at 
Louisville, William Rosenfield and Miss Bertha .\braham were married, and two days 
after that event, both arrived at Clarksville, and the business which has been so 
successful was established, but in the fire of 1878 their old stand was burned out, and 
they then selected the present location, where prosperity has still showered its blessing 
on the enterprise. Mr. Rosenfield is a native of Europe, and Mrs. Rosenfield was 
born ai\d raised in New Vork city. They have nine children : Joseph. Lee, Louis, 
Blanche. Eddie. Robby, Arthur, Clarence and M\Ttle. all of whom are living; and doiny 




J. L. WiLKERSOX. 



407 
well. Mr. and Mrs. Ros-nfieM arc Lnttri)rlsiii!', meritorious and clever people, who 
jii.stiy deserve the good will of the public, which they are receiving on all sides. 

CuNNiNcH.vM Bros. 

The linn ot" Cunningham Bros, is composed of John T., Gilford T., and Elijah W., 
suns of Dr. Elijah Washington and Harriet N. (Talley) Cunningham. The parents were 
natives of North Carolina, of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was born Sept. 24, 1819, 
the mother May 20, 1831. Dr. Cunningham was a self-made man. He was a graduate 
of tlic Philadelphia Medical College, and about 1835 moved to Tennessee, locating in 
Dickson county, near Cumberland Furnace, where he entered upon the practice of 
medicine, soon rising to eminence in his chosen profession, establishing himself in the 
confidence of the public and attaining to prominence as a leader in the community, and 
was successful in accumulating a handsome fortune. Dr. Cunningham and wife raised 
a family of iiine intelligent children. Their names are, John T. , Sallie, Gilford T., 
Elijah W. , Hugh D. , Marshall, James N., Robert Lee, and Thomas. He owned a 
farm of two thousand acres of land, and it was here that his children were all born and 
brought up in agricultural pursuits; and all were educated in Prof. G. T. Abernathy's 
High School, a popular institution near by, except Robert and Thomas, who are being 
educated at the S. W. P. University. Dr. Cunningham died July i8th, 1869. 
The mother moved to Clarksville four years ago, and has since resided with her eldest 
son, John T. Cunningham. The farm is operated under the management of Hugh 
Cunningham. The three Cunningham brothers obtained their first experience in mer- 
chandising in a country store, established on the home place in 1880, for the purpose 
of furnishing supplies to their farm operatives. With that limited experience they came 
to Clarksville in January, 1881, opening a first-class retail grocery house on Franklin 
street. They started out with that determined pluck and energy which characterized 
their father in earlier days. In spite of the strong competition on every side they grew^ 
in public favor, and two years later bought the house they now occupy, extending their 
operations to both retail and wholesale business. These young men have stuck close 
to business, cultivated the acquaintance of every stranger who entered their store, using 
every legitimate method of advertising their business and gaining public confidence, 
and with all they have exhibited a live enterprising spirit, thus enjoying a richly deserved 
prosperity as m.erchants. In January, 1887, the Cunningham Bros, bought a one-third 
interest in the firm of Bowling Bros, in the manufacture of ice and carbonated waters, 
combining the coal and feed store and ice depot in one establishment on Franklin 
street, under the management of John T. Cunningham, as noticed in a sketch of the 
ice factory, which is under the management of the Bowling Bros. 

John Talley Cunningham was born October 23rd, 1850, the eldest son. He was 
married September 7th, 1871, to Miss Minnie Weems, an estimable lady of Columbia, 
Tenn., born December 14th, 1849. To this marriage was born four children, Elijah C, 
Sallie N., John 1'., and Lady G. Mrs. Cunningham died April 14th, 1884. On 
Tuesday, January 23rd, 1887, Mr. Cunningham wedded Miss Lucy Holmes, daughter 



4o8 
ipf Dr. VVilliani I. Holmes, born November 22nd, 1856, a highly a((,oniplislied lady, 
who is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cunningham i.s a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity of the Royal Arch Degree, and a Knight of Honor. His 
esidence is located on Madison street, second door from the Christian Chun h. 

George A. Ligdn. 

One of the oldest confectioners in Clarksville is the gentleman whose name appear-, 
.tbove. He established himself in tliat business in 1S50, and has since followed the 
vocation of pleasing the little ones. He has tickled the palates of many little mouths 
since he first swung open his doors in this city of hills, and to-day he conducts a nice 
store and ice cream saloon on Franklin street, lietween Second and Third. Mr. Ligoii 
was born in Cumberland county, Virginia, July 29th, 1824, the son of William Ligon. 
He moved to Kentucky in early life, but some years later came to Montgomery county, 
where he resided on a farm until he came to Clarksville in 1850. He served as Alder- 
man one term, and was twice elected Mayor, serving one year the first time and two 
years the next. He is known to be a man of high moral character, as he never tasted 
any kind of liquor, smoked or chewed tobacco, never swore an oath, and never in his 
life tasted liquid coffee. In 1861 he married Miss Emma Wherry, of Nashville, and 
three children have been born to them : Miss Willie May, Mrs. Nellie Garrison, of 
Memphis, and George W. Ligon. Mrs. Ligon and Miss Willie are Methodists, while 
he is a Presbyterian and belongs to the Knights of Honor. 
Florence F. .Abbott. 

Florence F. Abbott, an energetic wide awake citizen, and junior member of the 
firm of Wood & Abbott, wholesale and retail grocers and liquor dealers, was born in 
this city March 13th, 1862, and was educated in the schools here, but took a commer- 
cial course in a business college at Nashville. His father, Florence, and his mother. 
Julia (Sullivan) Abbott, were natives of Erin's green isle, and came to Americ a in 
1850, first locating at Troy, New York. They came to Kentucky about 1853, and 
about 1857 they arrived at Clarksville, where the permanently located. The father 
died here in 1875, but the mother is still alive. In 1879, ju.st after completing his 
course at the Nashville business college, young Abbott assumed the books of Dority, 
Wood & Co., wholesale grocers, and this situation he held for three years. In 1883 
he became a partner of A. S. Wood, and the firm of Wood & Abbott, which since then has 
been successful in its business career. Mr. .\bbott's ability for business pursuits is 
very superior, as evidenced by the marks of distinction he has made since he obtained 
h's first situation. The strictly honorable course he has pursued has made warm friends 
of all persons with whom he has ever come in business contact, and to-day he enjoys 
the fullest confidence of the public at large. Mr. Abbott's eldest brother is Rev. T. C. 
.Vbbott, a distinguished clergyman of the Catholic faith, who has charge of a church at 
Jackson, Tenn. On the 25th of January, 1887, Mr. Abbott was united in mairiage to 
Miss Lizzie Boillin, one of the most accomplished young ladys in this city. Mr. and 
Mrs. Abbott are devout members of the Catholic Church. 



409 
J. S. Moore. 
The only exclusive gun-store and gun-smithing establishment in Clarksx ille is that 
ot J. S. Moore, on Franklin street, east of Second. Here is to he found a full line ot 
fine arms of all kinds and patterns, ciittlery, fishing tackle and sportmen's goods. 
There is a repairing shop attached where sewing machines, bicycles, etc.. are [iromptly 
put in order when disabled, and in fact the place is a general commodity shop. Mr. 
Moore succeeded the late E. Kstes, who foinided the sho|) in 187S, but died some years 
later. J. S. Moore was born at Nashville in 1S52. and is a son of f. 11. Moore. He 
left Nashville early in life and li\ed at Brownsville for a few years, when he came here 
and learned his trade with E. Estes. whom he succeeded in business, and has since 
been very successful. He married Miss Lizzie Bates, of this c ity, in 1876, and five 
ihildren. Alma, Sam R.. James S., Nellie, and John W. Moore, have been born to 
them. Both himself and wife are Episcojialians, and he is a worthy member of the 
independent Order of ( )dd Fellows. 

C i..\RKsvii,i,E P1..AXIN1; Mill. 

One of the thriftiest, busyest. and at the same time noisiest establishments in this 
< ity is the Clarksville Planing Mill on Franklin street, between Si.xth and Seventh, 
where all kinds sizes and shapes in building material is manufactin-ed and sold. The 
buildings are eighty by two hundred and fifteen feet in size, and are ecjuipped with the 
most modern and improved machinery, and employs ordinarily fifteen skilled men, but 
at times emi)loyment is given to thirty. The firm controlling this enterprise is Smith, 
Clark & Co., F. L. Smith, E. .).i. Clark and .\. M. Covington forming the copartner- 
ship. This mill was established in 1867 by Barksdale, Clark & Covington, but after 
the death of Mr. Bark.sdale, Mr. Smith took an interest in 188,3, and since then the 
business has run prosperously and without interruption under the present firm stvie 

Frederick L. Smith was liorn in Louisa county. \'irginia. January 7th, i8'4, but 
early in his life his parents moved to Todd county, Ky.. where Frederick was raised 
and educated. His jiarents were Dabney and Agnes Smith, both of whom are dead. 
In 1855 Mr. Smith married Miss Lucy Tandy, of Kentucky, and seven children were 
born to the union, but two died, and there are now living: |anies '1'., Lucv A 
Ceorge T., Edwin T., and F. Norman Smith. Mrs. Smith died in 1873. In 1874 
Mr. Smith and Miss Sarah Ely, of this city, were united in matrimony, and both hus- 
band and wife, and all the family, are members of the liaptist Church. Mr. Smith is 
an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Honor, and a member of the order of the Iron Hall, tak- 
ing great interest in their prosperity. 

E. M. Clark is a native of Troy, N. ^■.. and is a typical •'Trojan.' He be<'an 
life March 14th, 1814,' the son of Edward Clark, who was a native of Vermont. Mr 
Clark arrived at Clarksville in 1840, and since then has been a most exemplary citizen. 
He has been a continuous partner of A. M. Covington for over thirty years, is a prac- 
tical mechanic, and one of the leading building contractors and carpenters of Clarks 
ville. In 1843 he wedded Miss C. A. Covington, who died in 1884. Seven children 



4IO 
survive her and one is dead. Mr. Clark beeame a member of the Methodist Church 
in 1830, and has always been a true and worthy member of it since. He is a Christian 
gentleman; honorable, upright and generous in all his walks of life, and is generally 
known as a most worthy citizen. 

Albert M. Covington was born in Kentucky, .\ugust 26th. 1S27, but came to 
Montgomery county when i]uite young, and was educated in this city. He began 
business at Hickman, Ky., when twenty-one years old, serving one year at the carpen- 
ter's bench, and then he went to Indiana and followed his vocation another year. He 
then came back to Clarksville, and later on became a partner of E. M. Clark. In 
1852 he married Miss Martha Johnson, of Montgomery count)% and two children. 
Wallace W. and Luella Covington, were born to the union. Mr. and Mrs. Covington 
belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a most worthy member of 
the Masonic order. Mr. Covington's life has been one of honest, hard labor, by which 
he has gained an enviable reputation as a first-class gentleman of the finest feeling and 
substantiability for integrity and high honorable principles. 
Thcim.as Rohxer. 

This gentleman is conducting a lively business in watches, clocks and fine jewelry 
e.xclusively, at No. 60 Franklin street, near Second. The building he occupies is 
twenty-two by fifty feet, and is thoroughly equipped for a first-class store of Mr. 
Rohners kind. It contains an immense fire and burglar proof Hall's safety vault, built 
on a solid concrete foundation overlaid with an immense limestone rock ten inche^ 
thick, and the sides and top are of chilled wrought iron, while the interior is lined with 
steel, top, bottom and sides. Inside this vault is a fine large fire and burglar proof 
Mosler built safe, and in this is kept the fine stones, w'atches and jewelry at all times 
outside of business hours. Mr. Rohner's stock is as fine and complete as can be found 
anywhere, and with this and his business taste and skill as a workman, together with 
much energy and fair dealings, he is making a success in life. .Mr. Rohner was born 
in Switzerland, November 26th, 1836, and first landed in America in 1867, locating in 
New York city, w-here he remained three years working at his trade, and then he came 
to the Swiss colony in Grundy county, Tenn., where he remained until February, 1874. 
when he came to Ctarksville and located permanently. He has occupied his present 
business house nearly three years, which he owns, and likes his location very well. He 
was married at New York, and his son, -Albert, now living in Indiana, was born to the 
union, but the wife died in 1873, before he came to Clarksville. Iii 1875 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Bauer, of this city, and to this union were born three children. 
Henry, Emil and Loretto. Mr. and Mrs, Rohner are both attentive Presbyterians, 
and he is an honored member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, Knights 
of Honor, and order of the Iron Hall. 

B. F. Harpin (Sc Co. 

The carriage manufacturing industry of Clarksville is a sourse of employment for 
i|uite a ninnber of her citizens, and is steadily increasing from year to year. The oldest 



411 

firm in this line is B. F. Hardin .S: Co.. located at the ( orner of Third and Commerc^e 
streets. Their premises cover seventy-fi\e by two hundred and lit't\' feet, and the\" 
em[)loy twenty skilled workmen at their busy season, which lasts about se\en months 
out of twelve. All kinds of vehicles on the pleasure order are manufactured and re- 
paired, and the capacity of the establishment averages one hundred and twenty-five 
pieces annually. B. F. Hardin and H. (/. Merritt established a partnership in 1876 
and located a carriage factory on part of the lot now occupied by the Court House, but 
during the big fire of 1878 their building was partl\- destroyed, and then they built the 
factory now occupied by Harrison & Dugan. In tSSi they bought their present site, 
and have since been prosperous. Benjamin F. Hardin was born in Madison county, 
Tenn., and reared in Memphis, where he was educated and for some years followed 
the livery stable business. When the war broke out he joined the Confederate army, 
becoming a member of the Fifteenth Tennessee Ca\alry. and this he served with valor 
till the close of the war. He then went In Cincinnati, where he li\ed ten years, and 
while there learned his trade. In 1S75 he came to Clarks\ ille. and the following year 
entered into the present comjiact with Hency C. Merritt. a sketch of whom a|ipears on 
page 246. While living at Memphis. Mr. Hardin married Miss I-",mma Whitne\ . and 
they have one son. Walter H. Both are members of the Baptist Church. .Mr. Harilin 
is a man of full business capacity and energv, and enjo\s the confidence of the people 
for miles around Clarksville. 

Ru H.ARll Ll-:i)KKl lEK. 

.\mong the several building contractors in Clarksville. none are in the \an of Mr. 
Richard Ledbetter, whose business place is on Third street near Madison. He owns 
and controls an e.xtensive mill for manufacturing building material of all kinds, and has 
a large yard adjacent where he keeps a full assortment of cedar and other kinds of posts, 
shingles and lumber in the rough. He employs eight regular skilled hands, and at 
times gives work to twenty hands in and about the mill. Mr. (;. \\ . Lee, one of the 
best architects in this city, is associated with Mr. Ledbetter, but their business is dis- 
tinct and separate. Ledbetter's mill is constantly buzzing and humming, which is 
indicative of the extensive patronage it receives from every and all directions. Kit hard 
Ledbetter was born, raised and educated at Murfree.sboro, Tenn., and is a graduate of 
Union L'niversity when it was under the administration of President Joseph Eaton. 
His father was William Ledbetter. a banker of much note, who for years was connected 
with the old State Bank of Tennessee. He owned Iron Mountain Furnace, Stewart 
county, Tenn., and after his death Richard went to Stewart count)- and took charge of 
his late father's interests there, where he remained for twenty years. He is a Demo- 
crat, and in 1879 was. elected to represent Montgemery and Stewart counties as joint 
representative in the lower house of the Tennessee Ceneral .Assemblv. He married 
Miss Maggie Chilton, a former resident of Clarksville, while in Stewart (c)unt\ . and in 
1883 they moved to Clarksville, when Mr. Ledbetter engaged in his present enterprise. 
Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the Masonic 
order and the .American Legion of Honor. 



4t- 

CillMlK M. 



Hku 




^ — ^■^*>--^. 




It is more than probable thai no lawyer ever met with more encouraging siuces- 
in Tennessee than has (lilmer M. liell. a young and leading practitioner at the C"lark> 
\ ille bar. He is assidious to his duties to his clients, high toned and honorable in hi- 
every day life, and public spirited in all things that tend to build up his State, count> . 

city, and the people thereof. Mr. Bell is a son m 
Darwin and Mary \V. (Meriwether) Bell, of Chris 
tian county, K.y., who are of .Scotch-Irish origin, 
and have always been used to farm life. Cilnur 
Hell was born in (."hrisiian county, December lyili. 
1859, and received a common school education 
there, but in 1878 began studying law under his 
uncle, (leneral William A. Quarles, of this city. 
In iSSo he entereil the law department of the Cum- 
berland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, and 
graduated there June ist, 1881. He was admitted 
to the bar of Montgomery county the same year, 
.111(1 became tlic ])artner of the late Judge James E. 
Rice, and this arrangement continued until 1883, 
when Judge Rice died. The ne.xt two years Mr. 
Bell practiced alone, but late in 1885 formed a 
partnership with .■\. S. Major, under the firm name 
"f Bell iV .Miior. This firm lived until the Summer of 1886, when it dissolved and 
(;. 1.. I'itt became Mr. Bell's jjartner, under the present style of Bell & Pitt. In 1883 
.Mr. Bell associated himself with the press and assumed editorial control of the Clarks- 
ville Dcinocrat. and later on became the owner of that paper. In October, 1886, he 
sold his interest in that paper and withdrew from journalistic pursuits in order to give 
his undivided time to his chosen ])rofession — the law. Mr. Bell is an enthusiastic 
member of the Knights of I'ythias. and affiliates with all the churches. 

Al.WAKIi & J.\RRKLL. 

i'his enterprising firm is owner of the leading wagon manufactory of this city. It 
is located on Third street, immediately in front of the east entrance to the Court House. 
Here are made all kinds of wagons and carts, but the firm's specialty is the " P'armer's 
Choice," a wagon adapted to farm uses. The factory occupies a space seventy 'iwi by 
two hundred feet, and employs fifteen workmen, who thoroughly understand their 
business. It is really a necessary enterjirise, of whi( h the business community is ex- 
<eedinglv proud. 

Charles H. .Mward is a native of Clarks\ ille. is a son of Henry .Mwartl, and was 
educated in the city schools. Mrs. Alward was formerly Miss Carrie Williams, also a 
native here, and the couple have two children, Henry and Etha .\lward. Mrs. .\lward 
is a member of the Bai>tist Church, and he belongs the order of Odd Fellow s. He is 



4>3 
well liked by everybody, and is a self-made, honoralilc (,'entleman, who is bound to 
succeed in life. 

Joseph M. Jarrell is also a native of Clarksville; so is Mrs. Jarrell, whose maiden 
name was Miss Mary Morrison. Both were educated here and both belong to the 
Baptist Church. They have three children, Bertha, Effie and Henry. Mr. Jarrell 
belongs to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and like his partner in point of 
honor and integrity is bound to keep up his side of the enterprise they are conducting. 

Ja.mk> T. WiiDii. 

James '['. Wood, who is unquestionably the most complete self-made rnan in or 
near Clarksville, was born in Christian county, Ky., December 12th, 1854, being the 
eldest of four sons of James .\. and Mary M. Wood. There are also three sisters in 
the family, and as the father was a carpenter working for daily stipend, the large family 
was compelled to live sparsely, especially when James 
T. Wood was in his boyhood. During his earliest year.s 
James served his parents as best he could, and attendee 
school when opportunity afforded. .\t the age of thir- 
teen he began selling newspapers on the street as a sub 
agent of William Alward, a newsboy, at the rate of five 
cents ])er day. This arrangement lastjd only a short 
time when Alward quit the business, and then Wood 
began selling for Conover Brothers, who then conducted 
a book and news store here. The Conovers paid him 
twenty per cent, on all sales he made, and this arranj^'i- 
ment continued for several months, when Wood began 
business in the same line on his own account. He met 
with the encouragement of the reading public and consequently flourished finely, and 
this enabled him to secure ways and means for attending school and securing an edu- 
cation for himself, .\ccordingly at the age of fifteen he commenced attending school, 
but continued selling papers for a livlihood, and in both he was successful, as he grasped 
his studies with remarkable tenacity, and the more he learned the greater his desire 
became for receiving a collegiate course. He entered .Stewart College eventually, and 
while there associated with him in the newspaper selling business his brothers Beaure- 
gard, who is now in the grocery business, and Bellfield, who is a.ssociated with his 
brother George R. Wood, a leading contractor in the house painting business, and 
with their assistance James T. Wood wa?i enabled to pursue his collegiate course at the 
Southwestern Presbyterian University until June, 1879, when he partially graduated, 
only lacking a few points to make the course complete. During the following July he 
secured a situation with Samuel Johnson, a then prominent insurance agent, and his 
occupation was attending the office and occasionally .soliciting business, but Johnson 
soon quit and gave up his agencies, and this opened the way for W^ood to go into that 
business on his own account, yet he still continued his f^rst love by selling newspapers 




* 414 

just the same as if good luck had not stru< k him. and it was not long before he had 
secured the agency of some of the best known and most reliable insurance companies, 
and was soon driving a most prosperous business in that line. Prosperity still showered 
its blessings upon Clarks-ville's industrious and honorable newsboy, and in 18S5 he 
added real estate to his other enterprises, and in this, like the other ventures, he made 
a complete success, and to-day is the leading real estate man of the city, conducting a 
general agency for insm-ance. real estate, and newsjiapers. For years he has had the 
sole agency in this city for the sale of the leading dailies of Louisville, Nashville and Cin- 
cinnati, and has made enough money to purchase several valuable pieces of properi) 
in the city, and has amassed quite a comfortable quantity of cash, with which he is 
enabled to speculate whenever opportunity affords. Mr. Wood has three times been 
honored by the chief executive of Tennessee by receiving appointments. In 1876 
(Governor James D. Porter made him Coal Oil Inspector for Clarksville, and in November. 
1877, reappointed him to that office to serve two years. When this time expired. 
Ciovernor Albert S. Marks, who was elected to succeed Governor Porter, again ap- 
jiointed him to another two years. These ])Ositions of public trust Mr. Wood filled to 
the full satisfaction of the people and with much credit to himself; always acting in con- 
formity with the law governing his official acts. In addition to the several enterprises 
he is engaged in, he is also (ieneral Manager and Treasurer of Elder's 0|)era House, 
now one of the finest and best arranged places of amusement in the State. He has 
held this position for a number of years, and has always given the most perfect satis- 
faction to the owner, the amusement profession, and to the ])ublic. No city in the 
Union can pride itself on having a more completely self-made man than [ames T. Wood, 
the Clarksville newsboy, who in his manhood is reaping his reward for his honorable, 
upright, and liberal manner of conducting himself in all walks of life, one conspicuous 
feature of which is the devotion he has always had for his mother, sisters and brothers, 
all of whom he has ever had the tenderest feeling for, and invariably helping in their 
promotion in life. Mr. Wood >s a member of the Masonic order, having passed through 
the Blue Lodge Chapter and Knights Templar degrees when quite young, is single yet. 
and a devout working member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a reg- 
ular attendant upon its Sunday School since his earliest days in Clarksville. Mr. Wood's 
father died in this city on the 6th of June, 1886. 

J. M. FdWI.KEK. 

There are qnite a number of live wide-awake business hustlers in and around 
Clarksville, but among the livliest is Joseph M. Fowlkes, the enterprising sewing 
machine man. He located in this city in 1870, and for ten years was agent for the 
Wheeler & ^^'ilson Company, covering a large territory in this part of the State. He 
was industrious and persevering, and was accordingly successful. LTnlike most men 
following this vocation, Mr. Fowlkes saved the money he made, and at this time is 
"rowing his canoe" in fine shape. In 1881 he began dealing in sewing machines on 
his own account, buying from the various manufacturers and selling to the people at 



41 S 
liis own rate. In this too he has been \ ery successful. Mr. Fowlkes is the son of 
Henry .\. and Emma M. (Chilton) Fowlkes, of Virginia, and was liorn in that State 
Julv 2nd. 1S46. ( )n |ul\- 2nd, 1875, he married Miss Rebecca L. Uavis, daughter of 
Jefferson Da\is. Mr. Fowlkes belongs to the Christian Church, and Mrs, Fowlkes is a 
member of the Baptist Church. 

.\. R. Hall & S().\. 
One of the most elegant appearing business houses iu Clarksville is the dry goods 



he building stands on the rise of Franklin 
I'hc display windows and the glass front of 




both, 



house of the firm of A, R, Hall & Son. 
street at the northeast corner of Second, 
the establishment give the premises an 
appearance of a perfect trade palace L 
so to speak. .Mr. .V. R. Hall cam 
to Clarksville in the Fall of 1S7S, jusi | 
after the big tire of that year, . 
erected this building, which is o n 
ceded to be one of the finest busims 
houses in the city, and has t'rom. the 
beginning commanded a prosperous 
dry goods trade. The house is about 
fifty by one hundred feet in the cleai 
three stories high and basement, is 
finished in elegant style and filled with 
a select stock of dry goods, clothing, 

boots, shoes, hats, etc. The firm possess large capital, do a strictly cash b 
wholesale and retail, and keep the best grades of goods. The senior member is a gen- 
tleman of e.vperience and intelligence, and not without influence in the commffnity, 
Mr. Charles Hall, the junior member of the firm, is a young man of steady habits, 
much sprightliness and fine business capacity. 

J. F. W.K.i.. 

This gentleman has a right to feel proud of his busines.s standing and success in 
life, for he has fought the battle nobly, and won the victory upon the true principles 
which always lead men to success. He is yet quite a young man, with long years full 
of hope before him ; that is, if we judge his future by the past, for few men have so well 
established themselves in so short a time. Mr. Wood is one of those men who strictly 
attends to his own business, unless called upon to take part in some public enterprise 
calculated to benefit the whole community, when'he is always found equal to the emer- 
gency. He has in a quiet way Iniilt up a large wholesale business in hardware and 
agricultural ini]jlements, tinware, stoves, glass and queensware, china, etc., his jobliing 
trade being much larger than the retail business. His house is one hundred and thirty 
feet deep, with three floors for business, and a large warehouse in the rear for the storage 
of machinery, iron, wagon timber, plows, etc. The basement story is devoted to the 



4i6 

manufacture of tinware, fitting up stoves, etc., wliich department is under the manage- 
ment of skilled mechanics. The front or regular salesroom is filled with the lighter or 
finer goods, so skillfully dis]ilayed as to present a neat and elegant appearance. Here 
is found a general assortment of hardware, an elegant display of fine lamps, china, etc., 
and a beautiful stock of silver and plated goods. The stock is com])lete, the house 
e.xhihiting evidence of the fact that there is a business man at the head of it 

Charles H. Kaii.k\. 

Charles Henry Bailey was born June nth, 1845, son of Henry and W'ilmoth 
(Boyd) Bailey. The fath.er was a brother to .Senator James E. Bailey, Dr. C. W. Baile\ 
and Charles D. Bailey. His mother was a daughter of John C. Boyd, who lived many 
years in Clarksville, but finally moved to Mississipj)!. where he died. Charles H. Bailey 
was fdurated in Clarksville. and leaving the S( hool 
room he entered the Confederate service at the age of 
sixteen years, joining Captain Thomas M. Atkins' com- 
mand, Comjiany .\. Forty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment. 
General W. A. tjuarles testifies to his \aluable services. 
He sa\s: ••Charle}' ?;ailc\- was the best soldier in the 
Confederar\-. He « as never sick or out of ]jlace when 
wanted, and was always detailed for e.xtraordinary 
duties. He was the best scout in the army ; he could 
approach nearer the enemy and gain more information 
as to the position and movements of the opposing force, 
than any man. and was never happy unless engaged in 
some such active duty, and loved a fight more than the 
wildest sport likes a game of base ball. He was knocked up and came down dead 
ever so many times, the cannon ball having about the same effect on him as the bat on 
a rubber ball." Mr. Baile\' wis in every engagement and out on the skirmish lines 
from the first contest of his command imtil he was cajjtured at the battle of Franklin. 
He was wounded at .\tlanta and Franklin. Just before he was wounded and captured 
at Franklin, the most sangunary of all the hard fought liattles. he saved the life of his 
comrade, Charley Shanklin. Just as a Federal soldier leveled his gun at Shanklin, 
taking deliberate aim, Bailey pulled trigger and downed tlie man. or Shanklin would 
certainly have caught the lead from the Vankee's gun. After the war Mr. Kailev 
engaged as Deputy Circuit Court Clerk for G. C. Breed, then for John Williamson, 
serving a while as clerk in Trice's Landing \\'arehouse, then as Deputy Circuit Court 
for C. D. Bailey, and later Deputy County Court Clerk under R. D. Moseley, gaining 
fir himself the regutation of being the most efficient and accommodating clerk that has 
ever served in either of the offices in which capacity he served thirteen years. In 1884 
he was elected City Recorder, which position he still holds. In January, 1885, he 
resigned his place as Deputy County Court Clerk, and engaged as clerk for Mr. Lucas 
in the furniture business. Lucas soon sold out, when C. D. and C. H. Bailey opened 




417 
a furniture house, which partnership continued one year, when he bought the interest 
of his uncle, C. I). Bailey, and is still in the business. Mr. Bailey was married Feb- 
ruary 13th, 1868, to Miss Alice McKoin, daughter of J. C. McKoin, who died one 
\ear later, January i6th, 1869. Alice, the sweet little infant born to this marriage, 
survived its mother just seven months, and died August i6th, 1869. 

February 22nd, 1880, Mr. Bailey wedded Miss Jennie S. Macrae, daughter of Mr. 
II. W. Macrae, a lady distinguished for her amiable disposition, great force of character 
and superior domestic qualifications, whose sweet influence has filled his life with hap- 
jiiness. They have three bright litde boys, Alfred Robb, Charles Henry, Jr., and 
Stuart. They have a handsome home on Main street. Mr. Bailey is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Methodist Church, and a most 
zealous Christian hdy. 

The Clarksvii.le Hedge Fence Company. 
In the Autumn of 1883 several capitalists and enterprising business men of this 
city conceived the idea of establishing a new industry with headquarters here, which 
<ould be of great benefit to farmers and the jjublic generally, and give employment to 




an unlimited number of men. Accordingly the Clarksville Hedge Fcik e C<inipan\ 
was formed, with W. P. Johnson, A. Howell, P. G. Johnson, W. M. Daniel, H. C. 
.Merritt, J. E. Washington and W. S. Gill, Directors. These elected officers as fol- 
lows: Joseph E. Washington, President; A. Howell, Secretary and Treasurer, md 
l.en H. Smith, Superintendent, with their office at the Clarksville National Bank. The 
( ompany then secured the right to thirty-two counties in Tennessee, around and includ- 
ing Montgomery county, for the purpose of planting and cultivating hedge fences, 
under the patents of Dayton Hedge Company, aijd at this time the Clarksville Conipan\- 
has over one hundred miles of its hedges out in fourteen counties. While the e,\peri- 
ment is still in its infancy, these hedges are growing finely, but they ha\ e not yet 
reached the standard of perfection e.xpected of them. The stockholders and officers of 
the ( om|)any. however, are very much eniouraged. anil are sanguine of the ultimate 
success of the new enterprise. They expect that within the next three years u|jwards 




4iS 
of five hundred miles of hedge fences will be growing; inside the limits of the thirty-two 
counties they control. 

Hon. Joseph E. Washington, who has the honor of being President of the C'larks- 
ville Hedge Fence Company, is the present member of Congress from this the Sixth 
Congressional District of Tennessee, and resides near Cedar Hill, Tenn. He was born 
November 9th. 1.S51, at Wessyngton, the old family homestead, about three miles south 
of Cedar Hill. Robertson county. Tenn. His early educa- 
tion was obtained at the old field .school at Turnersville. In 
September, 1866, he entered the grammar school of ( George- 
town College, in the District of Columbia, and taking the 
lull collegiate course, was graduated from that institution 
in June, 1873, receiving the honors of his class. In 1874 
he entered the first law class ever organized at \'anderbili 
University, Nashville, but alter a few months study aban- 
d(med the law to take charge of his father's farming interests 
in Robertson county, which has been his occupation ever 
since. In 1876 he was elected to rejiresent his county in 
the lower house of the General Assembly of Tennessee. 1 n 
1882 he « is mule Elector for the Fourth Congressional District on the Hancock and 
English ticket. In 1884 he made an unsuccessful race for the Congressional nomina- 
tion, which two years later was given him unanimously and by acclimation. In 1885 
he was elected President of the Clarksville Hedge Fence Company, and re-elected in 
1886. In January, 1879, he married, at Petersburg, Virginia, Miss Mary Boiling 
Kemp, the daughter of Judge Wyndham Kemp, of Cloucester county, Virginia. This 
union has been blessed with two sons and a daughter, who a"re flourishing finely as 
they progress in life. 

Thk Clarksvillk Tob.-vcco Lkaf. 

This paper was established by M. V. Ingram, February nth, 1869. Mr. Ingram 
commenced his newspaper career in Springfield, Tenn., in April, 1866, without an\ 
experience whatever in the business. He had no purpose or idea of entering upon 
journalism, but was induced to lend the use of his name and small means to aid Archie 
Thomas, who was a practical printer, and just back from the Confederate army withoiu 
employment or means to support a large family. They started the Robertson Register. 
imder the firm name of M. V. Ingram & Co., a small folio, fourteen by eighteen inches. 
The labor in the ofifice was greater than Mr. Thomas could perform alone, as was cal- 
c-ulated at the outset, and Ingram undertaking to assist him, soon found himself initi- 
ated into all the detail work e.xcept composition. The Register met popular favor and 
was soon enlarged. It was largely patron'zed by Clarksville merchants, and became a 
firm advocate of Clarksville interests, especially the tobacco market, and Mr. Ingram 
was offered some inducements by the commercial interest to move his paper to Clarks- 
ville, which he accepted, suspending the Register In October, 1868, nioxing i)art of the 



419 
material to ('larksville. issiiiiig the fust number of tlie 'Jchaico l.i-af Feliriiary iith. 
1869. hlliiig out all i-oiltraets with the R<ibntion Rcpstrr. This mo\ e was attended 
with most remarkable succes.-. iiiider all ol the i irriimstances. Mr. Iiij;ram had his 
little means all invested in printing oltic e material, and ranie here on hea\ y expenses, 
depending on promised assistance and his own eneigies. The menhants advanced 
him nine hiintlred dollars, to be paid back in priii'ing; the three banks then in the cit\ 
loaned him three hundred dollars ea( h. and the hranklin Type I'oiindry gave credit 
tor the balance on an outfit costing four thousand dollars. .\ Cottrell & Habcock 
power press was included in the outfit, the first cylinder press brought to Tennessee 
outside of the cities publishing daily papers. The paper was about twenty-eight by 
tbrty-two inches, a nine column folio, and issued a circulation of fifteen hundred on a 
credit, sending them all o\er the C'larksville tobacco district. It was predictetl tiiat the 
paper could not stirvive on sin h a basis, carrying such a burden, under the shadow 
of the reliible old ( 'hrc iNic IK, then so poptdar with the ])eo]ile under the editorship of 
Robert W. Thomas, one of the then ablest political writers in Tennessee. Hut it was 
soon demonstrated that Clarksxille was able and w illing to support two papers. I'he 
Chkonmci,!' could not meet all of the demands; it was ( rowded with advertisements and 
lacked for editorial space. The proprietor of the /('<?/' observed that the C'hkomci.i-: 
editor, with his long training, could not well change his ])aper from the political chan- 
nel in which he was so highh' gifteil, and started out cultivating a dilfereiit field, look- 
ing more after the commercial and manufacturing interests, local enterprises, etc., Mr. 
Ingram superintending the mechanii al department, financiering, book-keeping, collect- 
ing, and editorial work, keeping himself in a strain from early morn till midnight, but 
soon finding his phvsical strength failing, he eniployeil Mr. Charles (). Faxon several 
months to write political editorials suited to the re< oiistriK tion period, making it e\- 
ceedingl}' hot for the carpet-baggers, which were pleasing to the public . H. M. Doak 
was then employed to write for the political columns, and in December, 1.S69, he was 
admitted as a partner, which relationship continued imtd Jtilv iith, 1874. when Ingram 
sold his interest to Doak, and just one year later Doak sold the paper back to Ingi-am. 
Mr. Ingram built him an office on the corner of i'hird and Franklin streets, and had 
just about got the paper up to a high degree of prosperity in its new cpiarters, when the 
fire of .Viiril 13th, i.SyS, swept away the entire establishment except the fiirm of fcnir 
pages, a few cases of tyjie, and a desk. This was a clear loss of six thousand dollars 
in building, type, |)resses, etc., with an insurance of only thirty-two hundred dollars, 
besides a half of one year's business lost. ,\ new outfit was purchased costing fort)'-two 
hundred dollars, and the [laper re-established. In the mean time the paper was con- 
verted into an eight, page form, to increase the ifdvertising space. This being incon- 
venient to readers, Mr. Ingram fell u|jon the idea of dividing it into two jjapers, or 
semi-weekly, which still increased the s|iac e. the advertising I)eing u eekly was divided 
between the two issues, and the semi-weekly sent to all subscribers, and the |.)aper has 
<'ontinued in that form up to this time. In 1880 Ingram sold an interest to ( 'lav- 
Stacker, and the firm of Ingram cV .Stacker continued one vear, when Ingram sold out 



420 

to Stacker, and Stacker immediately sold the paper to W. ( ). Brandon and W. \V. 
Harksdale, the ])resent proprietors. W. W. Barksdale entered the office in 1872, with 
Ingram & Doak, as an apprentice, and was connected with it as com|)ositor up to the 
time he became one of the proprietors. In 1875 Walter (). Brandon, of Columbia. 
Tenn., was employed as foreman of the office, and Mr. Ingram having other interests 
requiring his attention, soon after placed Mr. Brandon in charge as business manager, 
which relationship continued up to the time Mr. Stacker was taken in as partner. The 
leading projects of the Tobacco £<•(?/ during the first years of its existence, which the 
founder claims to have originated, was the organization of the Clarksville Board of 
Trade, getting up tobacco fairs, and agitating the Princeton Railroad into life. Mr. 
Ingram's health failed under the continued strain; this, together with continued family 
afflictions, loss by fire, and other things, combined to force him from the business. 

Hon. Chari.k^ (;. Smith. 

The legal fraternity of Clarksville possesses numerous gentlemen of the highest 
intellectual and honorable type, and among these none are more conspicuous than 
Hon. Charles (;. Smith, who has attained several degrees of high rank that has placed 
his name |)romiiiently in the archieves of the State of Tennessee. He is of English- 
Oerman extract, i)ut both his parents are natives nf this State, they being William and 
Nancy (Bradbury) Smith, of Haywood county. The father is yet living, but the 
mother died in 1873. Judge Smith acquired an average country school education, and 
until the year 1853 followed the vocation of a farmer; but that year began the study of 
law with (ieneral J. G. Hornberger as his preceptor. .At the age of twenty (having 
been born January 7th, 1834, in Haywood county) he was licensed to practice at the 
Montgomery county bar, and since then has followed assidiously and very successfully 
his chosen profession. He has gained and enjoyed for many years the reputation of 
being one of the best general practice lawyers in this section of the State, and this he 
richly and justly deserves. During the year i86g, under the old State Constitution, he 
was elected Chancellor of the Seventh Chancery Division, composed of Montgomery. 
Stewart, Robertson, Sumner, Smith, Macon and Jackson counties, and succeeded 
himself in the same office under the new Constitution in 1870, when he received a most 
complimentary vote over his competitor for the office. During the year 1875 '^^ ''*^" 
signed tlie Chancellorship and formed a law partnership with Colonel James E. Bailey, 
but the ne.xt year was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, which he served 
for two years with credit to his people and honor to himself. In 1878 he formed a law 
]jartnership with Judge Horace H. Lurton, and the firm of Smith & Lurton existed 
until Judge Lurton was elected to the Supreme Bench of Tennessee in 1886, when the 
firm dissolved and Mr. A. R. Gholson became Judge .Smith's partner under the firm 
name of Smith & Ciholson, and this combination still exists and is in a flourishing con- 
dition, ludge Smith has the honor of being President of the Crabtree Coal Mining 
(^)mpany, and is interested in numerous other money making enterprises outside his 
profession. In September, 1859, he married Miss Mattie Johnson, a native of Mom- 



421 
gomery county, liorn in 1838, and to tliis iinioii ciglit children were born, only four of 
whom, Charles G., Jr., Wiley J., Laura and Karl Smith, are living. Judge Smith is 
an honored member of the Knights of Pythias, and he and Mrs. Smith are active and 
working members of the Methodist Church. 

Askew & Edwariis. 

The youngest couple engaged in business at this time in Clarksville is Laurin B. 
Askew and Thomas Edwards, pharmacists, at No. 29 Franklin street. They have a 
very attractive store, which is stocked at all times with the freshest medicines to be 
found anywhere. They carry large supplies of paints, oils, dye stuffs, toilet articles. 
stationery, etc., and are driving a lively and flourishing trade. They enjoy the highest 
respect of the people of Clarksville, and from the amount of energy and enterprise they 
display, it is safe to say that they are all right in a business point of view. Laurin B. 
.\skew was born at Eufala, Alabama, in 1864, when his parents were living there as 
refugees from the city of Vicksburg, when that city was undergoing its fearful ordeal 
during the war. He was partly educated at Vicksburg. but later attended Stewart 
College here three years. He then served three and one-half years with the drug firm 
of Owen & Moore, and then three years with S. B. Stewart, whom Askew & Edwards 
succeeded August ist, 1887. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Society, belongs 
to the Presbyterian Church, and is married, Mrs. Askew having formerly the name of 
Miss Florence Couts, one of this city's favorite young ladies. Thomas Edwards is a 
native of Ashland City, Cheatham county, Tennessee, born March i6th, 1868. He 
was educated in common schools and at the Southwestern Presbyterian University in 
this city. His first business venture was in tobacco with the Grange Warehouse for 
six months, and then with J. Kropp, tobacco broker, with whom he was connected at 
the time he went into business with Mr. Askew. He is a member of the Methodist 
Church, and an elegant young gentleman. 

Richard S. Broaddu.s. 

One of the oldest mercantile men in Clarksville at this date is the gentleman whose 
name appears at the caption of this article, and who is still a prosperous Franklin street 
merchant. He was born in this city in January, 1838, and is the youngest son of Wm. 
and Jane Elizabeth Taylor Broaddus, and a near relation of the numerous ministers of 
the (iospel by that name. His early education was attained in the Clarksville schools 
and he finished a course in old Stewart College. In 1852 he began life as a clerk in 
the dry goods store of William & J. E. Broaddus, and continued as such until 1859, 
when William Broaddus gave his interest in the concern to his son Richard, and then 
the business was continued until the war interfered, when Richard Broaddus sold out 
to J. E. Broaddus and A. L. Whitaker. Richard Broaddus then occupied himself in 
various ways for a time, but during the war, for about six months, he clerked for 
(;. W. Hillman & Co., dry goods, in this city. He then went to Cumberland City, 
where he clerked for Stacker & Carter during the year 1865. Later on he bought out 
Mr. Stacker's interest, and the new firm was styled B. N. Carter & Co., Dr. B. N. 



4-- 
Carter bcinj; the ^cl1illl■ mciiiliL'r. I'lie linn ( (intinucd imlil 1.S68. when it di>solvcd. 
and Mr. liroaddii^ returned to C'laiksxillc and formed a |iartnerslii|i u ilh I. M. Rice, 
this firm stvle being Rire. Hroaddtis iS: Co.. and its business dry goods. In 1882 Mr. 
Jiroaddus bought out this lirm. and put u]) a sign lettered " R. S. Broaddus," and this 
lias remained firm ever since. In the fire of 1887 his stock of goods was hurneil. but 
ffjrtunatelv he was well insured and lo.->t nothing in the long run. .\fter this calamity 
he mo\ed to the store on Franklin street, between I'irst and Second, immediately oppo- 
site Hodgson iv: Maguire's, where he has prospered finelw Mr. Broaddus during his 
long business life has maintained a fa\orable re[)utation for honest dealings with the 
]iublic, and of course he stands y*(?/- iwtiilaiit characteristicalh and otherwise. He i'^ 
\ery energetic, public spirited, and liberal to a fuill. .Mr. Broaddus married Miss 
Carter, of Montgomery county, and two children, Carter and Janie Broaddus, are the 
fruits of the union. Mr. Broaddus and Miss Janie are members of the Methodist 
Church, while Mrs. Broaddus is a member fif the Cumberland Presbyterian congrega- 
tion. Their home is (onveniently located on Crecnwood avenue, and is one of the 
n.rost pleasant to be found an\ where. 

loHN B. (■uLI.IKk. 

Progress has been the motto of John B. Coidter. one of Clarksville's best known 

■M\A highl\ respected business men. e\er sincehe made his first stroke in life. His 

first venture is merchandise here was in 1865. when he 

engaged as a salesman in the store of his brothei . B. F. 

• 
Coulter, and this he continued until 1874. In 1877 he 

began business on his own account as a member of the 

firm of Coulter Brothers, and this he continued until 

( )ctobe;- ,:;ist. 1887. when the firm dissoKed. and he 

sought new enterprises. He was born at Fdkton. Todd 

(C)unt\. Kx .. .\pril i8th, 1846. and is the vcnuigest son 

of R. S. and Fannie (Bradley) Coulter, both of whom 

are dead. He was educated at F",lkton schools, and 

at the age of fifteen began clerking in a store at that 

lac e. whic h he followed for some time ])rior to coming 

to this city. In November, 1871, .Mr. Coulter and 

Miss Susie A. Strattoii, daughter of R. H. Stratton, of Virginia, were married, and 

they have five children, Fannie B. . Richard S. , Susie J., Sarah W., and Hettie .\. 

Mr. Coulter and wife are both memliers of the Christian Church, and he belongs to 

Clarksville Lodge, No. 232, Knights of Honor. 

WlI.I.I.AM F. CoUI.TKK. 

One cif the liest known men in Clarksville and Montgomer\- coimt\- is the gentle- 
men whose name appears above. \\'m. F. C"oulter was born at Elkton. Todd county. 
Ky., on the 17th of September. 1842. son of Robert S. and F'annie (Bradley) Coulter. 
He was educated in the schools of his native place, and followed farming fi>r a livlihood 




423 
until i!S57. when he < anu- tn this i ilv and took a situation with Macrae iS: ('(lulter. as 
salesman, in their dry gooils house. Here he remained until 1862. when the firm sus- 
pended business on account ot' the war, but in 1.S65 a firm styled Coulter & HiUman. 
composed of B. F. Coulter and d. W. Hillman. in the same Inisiness, was organised, 
and he took a position with it. In 1X72 this firm changed again, and I!. F. Coulter 
became sole owner, \\". !•'. Coulter remaining with him until 1875, when he was ad- 
mitted as a jjartner. and this arrangement lasted until July. 1877, when the firm of 
Coulter, l!ro. iS: Stratton, composed of W. F. and J. H. Coulter and M. A. .Stratton, 
was organized. This arrangement lasted until 1882, when Mr. Stratton retired from 
the firm, and the name changed to Coulter Brothers, in which style it remained until 
October. 1887, when the firm dissolved and sold out its remnants of stock at public 
auction. The business of which the above is a brief history was first located a: 
the ■■()ld Red" house that stood where Elder's Opera House now is, and the nex: 
mo\ e was to a store on the same side of Franklin street near by, where it remained 
until -April, 1887, when the big fire of that date burned it out, and then it was decided 
to quit the dry goods business and seek pastures new. On the 15th of July, 1884, 
William F. Coulter .secured letters patent on 
an invention he made for curing tobacco, and 
it was in order to attend to the manufacture 
and sale of this that he most desired to leave 
the dry goods trade. This invention consists 
of a portalile wrought and sheet iron and heav\ 
wired furnace, which is adjustable at the top, 
ends and sides, and can be moved easily from 
one part of a tobacco barn to another. It is 
so arranged as to prevent the escape of any 
particles of fire from its confines, and is easily operated, as is is perfectly simple, yet 
unquestionably safe to the tobacco planters who use it for curing their crops. The 
very common news received of the destruction of valuable barns filled with the precious 
weed, caused by the old fashioned process of curing tobacco, is what caused Mr. 
Coulter to think of inventing his valuable furnace, which is pronounced a complete 
success by tobacco growers. He has already disposed of three thousand furnaces to 
tobacco growers in Kentucky and Tennessee, and now that he is giving his undivided 
attention to this invention, it will not be long before every planter in the land will have 
one or more of thein in use. When the firm of Coulter Brothers dissolved in October, 
1887, its only members were \V. F. and J. B. Coulter, the other brothers having turned 
their attention elsewhere sometime previous. Caf)tain R. '!". Coulter was killed while 
on duty at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., dtiring the war. B. F. Coulter, as before 
stated, is now a citizen of Los Angeles, California, and John B. Coulter is still in this 
city. The brothers are all enterprising, driving and progressive, and they are sure to 
prosper, no matter in what business thev may embark. William F. Coulter married 
Miss .Amanda Williams, a native of near Osceola, .Arkansas, February 4th, 186S. .She 




4-'4 
is the daughter of the late J. P. Williams, who moved to Clarksville some years ago 
and embarked in the tobacco business, but after a citizenship of one year here he died. 
Mr. and Mrs. Coulter belong to the Christian Church, and he is a member of the 
Knights of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter being without children, reared Alma Dorn 
Coulter, a winsome young lady, whose i)arents died at New Providence when she was 
((uite young. They love her the same as if she was their own, and the affection is 
duly reciprocated. 

Chari.es E. 1,. McCaulev. M. I). 

Among the best and most favorably known men for many miles of Clarksville is 
Dr. C. E. L. McCauley. the eminent practitioner, who has served the jniblic in this 
city and county for lo, these many years. He is a native of Montgomery county, hav- 
ing been born about si.\ miles from this city, August 25th, 1829, the son of the late 
(leorge J. and Elizabeth (McCauley) McCauley. His father was a native of North 
Carolina, but came to tnis county in 1819, and married a daughter of John McCauley, 
who lived on Indian Creek. Dr. McCauley began his education in common country 
schools, and passed through Clarksville Academy, which then was the high rated school 
of the city, and from there he took a literary course at Nashville University. He then 
began studying medicine under his late illustrious brother. Dr. R. D. McCauley, and 
eventually attended the Medical and Surgical Departments of the L'niversity of Penn- 
sylvania, at Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1854. The following year he began 
regular practice at Fredonia, where he remained during the ne.xt twenty-one years. In 
1875 he came to this city and engaged in the drug business with his brother, Dr. R. I). 
McCauley, and here he remained until the latter died. He afterwards became a partner 
of the late Dr. W. T. McReynolds. who died in i.SSo. and since then Dr. McCauley 
has been practicing alone. On the Sth of .Vugust. 187S, Dr. McCauley lead to the 
hymenial altar Miss Mary F. Blunt, of Selma. .Xlabama, and the couple with their 
daughter, Beulah, now occupy their haiulsonie home at the corner of Fourth nnd 
Franklin streets. Dr. McCauley belongs to the Masonic order and wears the emblems 
of the Knights Templar degree. Mrs. McCauley is a devout member of the Baptist 
Church, and beloved by all who know her. 

I'HdMAS Hol'RNK. 

.Among the man\- men of high graded intellec t and energy in Clarksville, none are 
more conspicuous than Thomas Bourne, who holds the position of Superintendent of 
the Clarksville Gas Light Company and Clarksville Water Company. He is a gentle 
man of fine feeling, stability, and strong force of character; always strictly reliable and 
attentive to business no matter with whom he may come in contact next. He was born 
about forty miles from London, England, iVlarch 20th. 1830. i" the lounty of Kent. 
His parents were John and Frances (Hopper) Bourne, who were nati\ es ot England, 
as were their parents. Thomas Bourne received a good education at his native home, 
and in 1866 he came to the United States, locating at Philadelphia, where he afterwards 



425 
became connected with the American Cias and Meter Company as machinist and expert 
mechanic, and in this capacity he served more or less until 1882. In December of that 
year he came to Clarksville and assumed charge of the gas works, and in this capacity 
he served the public pleasingly until 1883, when he was made Superintendent of both 
the gas and water companies. Since his administration the affairs of both have worked 
admirably and to the entire satisfaction of the public who patronize these great benefits. 
Mr. Bourne has always commanded the respect and confidence of the people of this 
city, and the kind feelings expressed so commonly for his welfare is duly reciprocated 
on his part. In 1873 Mr. Bourne was married to Miss A. A. Lavender, of London, 
and four children have blessed their union: Frances E. , Amelia E., John E. , and 
Horatio T. Mr. Bourne belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Masonic order and Knights 
of Pythias, and both himself and wife are Episcopalians. 
T. E. Cabaniss, D. D. S. 

This widely known and much esteemed dentist is a native of Montgomery county. 
having been born at New Providence, March 12th, 1857. His father was Dr. J. W. 
Cabaniss, a native of Christian county, Ky., but who came to this county in 1850. 
Dr. Cabaniss first studied dentistry under his father, who practiced in this city about 
twenty years. The father studied under Dr. Castner, who was in his day one of the 
most eminent practitioners in his profession in the State. Dr. J. W. Cabaniss died in 
October, 1884. Stewart College was where Dr. T. E. Cabaniss first graduated, but 
after a long course under his father, he attended the Dental Department of Vanderbilt 
University, Nashville, Tenn. , and graduated in 1880. He then returned home and 
formed a partnership with his father, under the firm style of J. W. & T. E. Cabaniss, 
which terminated with his father's death in 1884. He has since been practicing his 
profession by himself, and has met with the most encouraging success. He is a man 
liberal in his views, has the public good much at heart, and is highly esteemed by the 
people among whom he was born and raised. His mother previous to marriage was 
Miss Lucy New, born in Todd county, Ky., in 1836. On the 13th of July, 1880, Dr. 
Cabaniss wedded Miss Annie Anderson, of Paris, Bourbon county, Ky., and they are 
now enjoying a happy home in New Providence. Dr. and Mrs. Cabaniss are both 
members of the Christian Church. 

Henry E. Beach, D. D. S. 

One of the most public spirited, enterprising and benevolent citizens of Clarksville 
is Dr. Henry E. Beach, the eminent dental surgeon, whose name is familiar in every 
part of Tennessee and Kentucky. Dr. Beach is a native of Prince Edward county, 
Virginia, the son of .E. B. Beach, a farmer, and was born February ist, 1837. He 
was raised on the farm and educated at country schools. When seventeen years old 
he left home to go with his older brother, who was engaged on the construction of the 
Petersburg & Norfolk Railroad. He continued on public works for about five years, 
during which time he was principally engaged in superintending the construction of 
masonry, or as assistant civil engineer. The Cincinnati, Cumberland Cap & Charles 



426 
ton, Northwestern of Tennessee, and F^dgefield & Kentucky, now the Southeastern 
division of the Louisville & Nashville, were the fields of his labors. On the 21st ot 
December, 1859, Dr. Beach was married to Miss Fannie J. Bourne, daughter of 
William Bourne, of Bort Royal, in this county. He then moved to Virginia and 
engaged in mercantile jjursuits, tluring which time he commenced the study of his pro- 
t'ession. He entered the Confederate army during the second year of the war, and was 
a member of Company I), Nineteenth Virginia Battalion of Heavy Artillery, in which 
he served until the close of the war. He carries on his person a scar from a bayonet 
wound as a mark of his devotion to the cause of the Confederacy. At the close of the . 
war he t ommenced anew the study and practice of his profession. His ambition to be 
in ihe front rank among his professional brethren led him to use every means in his 
power to attain that end. The result was that he graduated in the Pennsylvania Col- 
lege of Dental Surgery in February, 1870, having receive.! the highest award of praise 
for his skill in operative dentistry of any member of his class of forty-three graduates. 
He caine to ("larksville the following May, and located on the site of his present resi- 
dence on Franklin street, where he has successfully practiced since. Dr. Beach has 
twice been honored with the Presidency of the Tennessee Dental Association, being 
elected to that office in 1877 and again in 1886. His administrations were noted for 
the business like manner in which the work of the society was conducted, and the im- 
provements made. He is now Clinical Professor in the Dental Department of Van- 
derbilt University. Nashville, 'Tenn., and State edit(jr of the the Anhivcs of Dentistry. 
published in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Beach and his wife are both active members of the 
Baptist Churc h, the Doctor being a T)eacon in the church, and for many years was 
Superintendent of the Snnday School. They have si,\ children, viz: William Earnest. 
Matie E., Henry E., Jr., Kdward R., John R.. and Lillian, all of which are living in 
('larksville save one who is in Kansas City, Mo., viz: Henry E., Jr. He is an active 
and enthusiastic member of the Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias, having 
passed the chair in both lodges, and been twice representative to the Grand Lodge in 
the order of Knights of Honor. He is now a member of the Board of Mayor and 
.\ldennen of this city, and C'hairman of the Finance Committee, and a member of the 
T.oard of Health. 

Wll.llAM E. BkAI H, 

The present worthy Treasurer of the City of Clarksville, William F>rnest Beach, 
son of Dr. H. E. and Fannie J. (Bourne) Beach, was born in Virginia in !86i, and 
came to C"larksville with his parents in 1869, and was educated principally here, liut he 
attended an institution at Knoxville one vear. He began life as a newsliov, as his 
ambition was to |)addle his own canoe from the jump. In 1878 he took a situation 
with Keesee & Northington in the grocery business, and has successfully filled every 
station there, from porter uj), frequently having full control of the premises when the 
members of the firm were away. Mr. Beach was elected a member of the Board of 
Mayor and Aldermen in 1886. but owing to his removal from the ward, he resigned. 



427 

He thtn ran for the office of City Treasurer in February, 1B87, and was elected to that 
office, a handsome compHment for so young a man. He has been Secretary and 
Treasurer of the Baptist Sabbath School for four years, was Librarian of the same 
for three years, is now Financial Reporter of Claiksville Lodge, No. 232, Knights of 
Honor, is a staunch member of the Baptist Church, and a lively Knight of Pythias. 
He enjoys the fullest confidence of the public, and is a first class gentleman in every 
sense of that meaning. On the 4th of November, 1885, Mr. Beach led to the hymenial 
altar Miss Jessie Couts, daughter of John F. Couts, and their union has been blessed 
with a lovely daughter, Bessie Beach. 

John Newton Waddell, D. D., LL. D. 

This eminent divine, now Chancellor of the Southwestern Presbyterian University. 
i^ the youngest son of the late Rev. Dr. Moses Waddell, of South Carolina, and was 
born April 2nd, 1812, at Willington, S. C. He prepared for the University of Georgia, 
at Athens. Ga., and graduated in that institution, August 5th, 1829. He joined the 
Presbyterian Church in 1839, in Green county, 
Ala.; was taken under care of the Presbytery of 
Tuskaloosa, in the same year; was licensed by the 
Presbytery of Mississippi, September 15th, 1841; 
and was ordained by the Presbytery of Tombeckbee, 
September 23rd, 1843. He was first settled as 
preacher at Mount Herman, Smith county. Miss.; 
then at Mount Moriah, Newton county, Miss., 
alternating with Montrose, Miss. This continued 
until 1848, when, removing to Oxford, Miss., he 
supplied the church there in conjunction with Hope- 
well Church, near O.xford. Here he continued 
until 1857. He then supplied LaGrange Church, 
where he was associated with Dr. J. H. Gray. 
.\fter acting as agent of Synod of Alabama for estab- 
lishing the Orphan Asylum at Tuskeegee, Ala., he 
■supplied O.xford Church again, from 1865 to 1872, 

IKirtly with Hopewell Church. In 1874 he removed to Memphis, Tenn., and supplied, 
as his last charge, Lauderdale Street Church until 1879. Dr. Waddell's work has been 
largely connected with literary institutions, in all of which he has won a high reputa- 
tion. He taught the academy from 1830 to 1834, at Willington, S. C, and taught 
another academy from 1842 to 1848, Montrose, Miss. He was then elected Profe.s.sor 
of Ancient Languages in the University of Mississippi, where he served until 1857. 
He was then called to LaGrange Synodical College, as Professor of Ancient Languages, 
serving as such until i860, when he was made President of the same college, which 
office he held until the college was closed by the war. In 1865, called to the University 
of Mississipjji as Chancellor, he served in this capacity until 1874; Resigning to accept 




428 
the Secretaryship of Education of the Southern Church, he served in this office until 
1879, when he accepted a call to the Chancellorship of the Southwestern Presbyterian 
University. Dr. Waddell was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Southern 
Presbyterian Church in its meeting at Baltimore, in 1868. His whole ministry has 
been one of great activity and widely extended usefulness. Blessed with a vigorous 
■ onstitiition, and until within the last few years fine health, he has done an unusual 
amount of service in all his different charges. As a preacher, he is always evangelical, 
instructive and attractive. He is eminently conservative in all his doctrinal views, and 
may be regarded as a representative man of the Southern Church. It is, however, as 
an educator that he has won his widest reputation. Much of his lite has been spent in 
this department of work. In the instruction of youth and in the government of colle- 
giate institutions he seems to have inherited the genius of his distinguished father. 
Eminently wise in counsel, judicious and practical in all his methods, he has never failed 
to secure the respect, confidence and affection of young men in all the institutions of 
education with which he has been connected. There is probably no man in all the 
Southern Church who could be placed before him in this respect. Nor are there many 
in all the country who to an equal degree possess those high qualities of thorough 
scholarship, practical wisdom, good sense, firmness and affability which make the 
popular and efficient college president. 

.\dam G. Goodlett. 

The history of the family of Goodletts dates back for many generations, and the 
identity of the blood line goes into Germany and Scotland as far as the fifteenth cen- 
tury. In 1757 .^dam Goodlett, of Edinburg, came to America on a tour of pleasure, 
after graduating in one of the most famous schools of that period; and while in Virginia 
was captured in matrimony by Miss Rebecca Balderson. Eleven children were the 
fruits of this union ; and shortly after the Revolutionary war the father and his family 
moved to Bardstown, Ky. A few years later he moved to Nashville; here he died in 
1822. E. E. Goodlett, the third son of Adam Goodlett, married Eliza Hammond, 
and located at Princeton, Ky., and to this couple were born eight children. The eldest 
son, Adam G., born January ist, 1810, married Eliza T. Turner in 1846, and moved 
to Goodlettsville, near Nashville. In 1853 he moved to Nashville and assumed charge 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He died September 14th, 1866. The second 
son of Rev. .Adam G. Goodlett is Clarksville's lawyer, stock raiser, and most worthy 
citizen, A. G. Goodlett, of whom this sketch is compiled. He was born June 22nd, 
1842, at Nashville, and educated in the schools there. From 1857 to i860, he attended 
the Western Military Institute, under the supervision of the late General Bushrod 
Johnson, and in 1863 he was married to Miss Sallie D. Hooper, but after her death in 
Mar( h, 1865, he moved to ("harlotte, Tenn., and began the practice of his chosen 
|)rofession. June 10th, 1866, he was married to Miss Florence Gold, and to this union 
five children were born. In 187 1 Mr. Goodlett lanie to Clarksville, making it his 
permanent home, and continuing the practice of law until 1883, when he purchased a 



429 
stock farm of over one thousand acres near the city, and upon this he now divides his 
time with his law practice. Since he took up law at Charlotte, Mr. Goodlett has been 
very successful, and since his citizenship here has always heen in the foremost ranks of 
every public enterprise advanced for the good of Clarksville and the county of Mont- 
gomery. Mr. and Mrs. Goodlett are members of the Episcopal Church, while he is 
also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the orders of Knights of Pythias and 
Knights of Honor. As a stock raiser and breeder, Mr. Goodlett has been very suc- 
cessful, and stands to-day in the front rank of men in that business in Tennessee. 
When the State debt settlement was an agitating question in Tennessee politics, Mr. 
Goodlett was strongly in favor of paying out dollar for dollar, just the same as settling 
an old debt between man and man, and this sentiment assisted in proving him to be a 
gentleman of very fine feeling and a keen sense of the amend honorable. 

John Pashlev Yardlev Whitfield. 

Mr. J. P. Y. Whitfield, manager of the Clarksville Foundry and Machine Shop, 
and the Clarksville Saw Mill and Lumber Company, is a representive man of the 
mechanical interest; a gentleman worthy to be a leader of any class of citizens. His 
splendid business capacity, strict integrity, clear-headed and correct business principles, 
constitute a force of character that is strongly felt in the community, and society has 
been greatly benefitted by his good councils. Mr. Whitfield is at the head of important 
and prosperous enterprises, and this sketch of his life contains a complete history of 
them. He was born September 29th, 1827, in Philadelphia, Penn., son of William 
and Rachael (Yardley) Whitfield, both descendants of English families. He was edu- 
cated in the city of his birth, and went to Brownsville, Penn., where he served an 
apprenticeship as moulder in the foundry of John Snoden. About 1850 he went to 
Nashville, Tenn., working as journeyman for the Nashville Manufacturing Company. 
The same year he went to Charleston, S. C. , and was given the foremanship of a large 
foundry. From there he went to Pittsburgh, Penn., then to Lexington, Ky., where 
he was foreman in a foundry. In 1853 he returned to Pittsburgh, where he stayed six 
months, was married, and then returned to Lexington to settle down, but after one 
year he was offered a contract by H. P. Dorris, of the Clarksville Foundry, to execute 
some important work, which he accepted, moving to Clarksville in 1854, filling his 
contract with Mr. Dorris about two years. The Clarksville Foundry was established 
about forty years ago by H. P. Dorris; located on Commerce street at the town spring. 
It is an old style frame concern, was never changed, modernized or repaired, and looks 
as if it might last one hundred years yet. It rather reminds one of that famous house 
described in the story of the Arkansas traveler, which did not need any repairs while 
the weather was good, and could not be mended or re-covered when it was raining. 
It still answers the purpose, and ought to be preserved as a relic of the past. It is 
perhaps the only business house or work shop of forty years ago, that has escaped fire, 
storm, and total decay. The old building has never been idle, the machitiery is ever 
moving, several families being dependent on it for meat and bread. It was first a stove 



43° 
tbundry, and did (iiiitc a prosperous business, and the iiuestion arises, why would not 
a stove foundry do well in Clarksville now? Mr. Dorris gained quite a reputation for 
the excellency of his stoves, and also for the Dorris ]}atent fire grate, which is still ])0]iu- 
larly in use. Mr. Dorris, however, concluded that Clarksville was too small a place 
for him, and sold his foundry about 1857 to J. P. Y. Whitfield, Thomas Pf'tchett and 
k. M. House, and it started under the name of Whitfield & Co., and the stove and 
i^rate business was abandoned, Dorris taking his patterns. Mr. Dorris was a good man 
and most valuable citizen, but he was disappointed in his move to Nashville. That was 
not the place for him, and he returned to Clarksville after two years, engaging in the 
tin and sheet iron business, in a store on Franklin street, and was succeeded by Kin- 
cannon & Hamlett. One year later Larkin Bradley and James Clark bought the in- 
terests of Pritchett and House in the foundry, and the firm name was changed to 
Whitfield, Bradley & Co. A machine shop was added in the meantime for the repair 
of machinery, engines, etc. This firm continued in l)usiness until some time alter the 
war, when Mr. Whitfield bought the whole concern. It was, however, Whitfield. 
Bradley & Co. who made those famous rifle cannons and cannon balls for the Confed- 
eracy. A man by the name of Binkley came along and gave orders for the moulding 
of cannon and cannon balls. It was something new to this company, as they had no 
experience in the manufacture of war material. But Binkley was said to be a leader of 
the Knights of the Golden Cross, there was something dark and mysterious in his eyes, 
and the com]jany put their heads together and decided that the work had to be done, 
and Mr. Whitfield brought all of his mechanical genius to bear in producing something 
to meet the demand of the Knights of the Golden Cross. Two cannons were soon 
turned out. Colonel R. W. Humphreys was appointed by the Knights of the Golden 
Ooss to test the new artillery. The Colonel with a detail of men took Whitfield's can 
nons up the river to see if they could be bursted. The Colonel turned loose these 
engines of destruction doubly charged, battering down the stone bluff on the opposite 
side of the river, ploughing up the earth like a volcanic eruption. ?21ated with this 
performance, and enthused with the exercise, the Colonel like the boy in the play, just 
imagined that the trees on the bluff were Yankee soldiers, put in four charges of amuni- 
tion, and brought his artillery to bear on the timber. Every ball was like a Kansas 
tornado, leaving not a single tree in its path. About the close of the war Mr. Whit- 
field sold a half interest in the establishment (he having in the meantime become sole 
owner) to three practical mechanics, his brother-in-law, James A. Bates, from Pitts- 
liurgh, and Joseph Klliott and Samuel Crabtree, from Zanesville, Ohio, and the business 
lias since been conducted under the firm name of Whitfield, Bates & Co. This firm 
established a saw mill in (iailows Hollow, which they operated three years under the 
name of Whitfield & Co., and then sold it to R. J. Goostree. In the meantime Mr. 
\Vhitfield was for a while engaged in merchandising with Joseph Edwards, of New 
Providence. They occupied the old Coulter house, and M. C. Pitman and R. H. 
dickering were their clerks. After selling the saw mill Whitfield, Bates & Co. took a 
one-third interest with (;. B. Wilson and Dr. C. W. Beaumont in building the Sewanee 



43 > 
Planing Mills. In 1883 Whitfield, Bates & Co. sold their planing mill interest to the 
remaining partners, G. B. Wilson and Henry Freeh, and engaged extensively in the 
saw mill business at Danville, on the Tennessee River. In 1884 the firm abandoned 
operations at Danville, and built their present saw mill on Cumberland River just above 
the ( ity, with (}. B. Wilson and Henry Freeh as partners. The following year Mr. 
Whitfield bought Mr. Wilson's interest, and B. W. Macrae bought out Henry Freeh. 
The enterprise is now known as the Clarksville Lumber Company, Whitfield, Bates & 
Co. owning one-third, J. P. V. Whitfield one-third, and B. W. Macrae one-third. It 
is a very large and profitable business, the mill property and stocks on hand being 
worth twenty thousand dollars. Mr. Whitfield devotes nearly all of his time to this 
establishment, assisted by his son-in-law, Mr. Chas. W. Hodgson. The capacity of the 
mill is from twelve to fifteen thou.sand feet of lumber per day, and during the past year 
it cut ten thousand logs. Mrs. A. L. Bates, by the death of her husband, became a 
partner in the foundry, and E. C. Bates bought Joseph Elliott's interest several years 
ago, and has since occupied the place of his brother as manager of the foundry. Mr. 
Whitfield served twelve years as President of the Mechanic's Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation, which he was prominent in organizing. He is at present, and has been for 
years, a Director of the First National Bank. He has been Chairman of the Board of 
Trustees and Financial Agent for the Odd Fellows lodge over twenty years, and his 
excellent financial skill is to be seen and appreciated in the management of this benev- 
olent fund, by which the sum of five hundred dollars has been increased to fourteen 
thousand dollars. No man has lived a more busy and useful life, esteemed by all. Mr. 
Whitfield was married May loth, 1853, to Miss Martha Jane Bates, daughter of Peter 
Bates, of Alleghany county, Penn. Seven children were born to this union, only three 
of whom survive: Edward B. Whitfield (see page 353), Mrs. Alice Hodgson, and Miss 
.\nnie Whitfield. The family worship with the Episcopal Church. 

HowF.RTON & Macrae. 

The dry goods trade of Clarksville received an acquisition in October, 1887, that 
gave it additional tone, and is now an honor to it. This was the formation of the firm 
of Howerton & Macrae, who are located in the palatial new building erected in the 
.Summer and Fall of 1887 by M. C. Pitman and E. B. Ely at the southwest corner of 
First and Franklin streets. This firm is composed of Mrs. .\nna Howerton and John 
H. Macrae, both of whom are well and favorably known to the people of this city and 
vicinity. The spacious new building, which is twenty by one hundred and thirty feet 
in size, is beautifully decorated in fixtures, which include eight counters, full length 
shelving with large drawers beneath, and many plate glass show cases. The front side 
and rear of the room has plate glass windows which furnish an elegant and even light 
over the premises. In addition to the dry goods, notion and novelty departments, 
there is a mantau and dressmaking room, where all manner of ladies' wear is made. 
This house is one of the most complete in all its departments in the South, and the city 
of Clarksville is justly proud of it. Mrs. .Vnna Howerton was born in Illinois, but 



432 
when about six years old was brought to Tennessee by her jjarents, and was educated 
at Nashville and Clarksville. She was married to the late J. T. Howerton in Christian 
founty. K.)., but he died in 1867, leaving three children to her care. She spent sonif- 
time teaching school, but in 1878 she entered the service of Coulter Brothers, this city, 
and remained with them until June, 1887. In October following she beceme a mem- 
ber of the firm of Howerton & Macrae, and is now on the road to the most prosperous 
part of her life. Mrs. Howerton is too well known and too much beloved by the peo- 
ple of Clarksville to require any eulogy here as to her ability for business. Her past 
record certifies to the fact that she is one of the best business ladies in the city. She 
is a Presbyterian. John H. Macrae is a son of Dr. J. H. Macrae, of Christian county, 
Ky., and was born in that county January 15th, 1862. He was educated in country 
schools, after which he farmed until July, 1882, when he entered the service of Coulter 
Brothers and served them until June, 1887. He then entered the service of the First 
National Bank as book-keeper, but as the organization of the firm of Howerton & Ma- 
crae was then contemplated, he only held that position until October ist following. 
During his business career John H. Macrae has constantly been a citizen of this city, 
and has won a name for honesty, uprightness and general solidity of character that 
might be envied by the most conscientious persons. He is full of energy and business 
tact which will carry him safely through the storms of life. He is a Presbyterian and 
a member of the choir of that church. 

SliMON Katz. 

This wide awake and very active merchant has a very attractive dry goods store 
on tlie north side of Franklin, between First and Second streets, and is driving a fine 
trade. His storeroom is twenty-one by eighty feet in size, and is constantly supplied 
with a large stock of the best goods, such as are found in first-class stores of its kind. 
.\side from dry goods he keeps clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, cloaks, notions, etc., 
and he employs three gentlemanly salesmen, throwing in his own help. Mr. Katz was 
born near Wurtzburg, Bavaria, March 17th, 1849, and came to .America in January, 
1867. He first lived fifteen years at Murfreesboro, and then went to McMinnville, 
where he lived two years; and then he came here in 1884 and established himself in 
dry goods. While living at Murfreesboro he married a daughter of Isaac Rosenfeld, 
and they now have four children : Belle, Yetta, Phineas and Julian. Mr. Katz belongs 
to the Knights of Honor and the order of Odd Fellows. In October, 1887, he repre- 
sented Pythagoras Lodge, No. 23, I. O. O. F., of Clarksville, at the (Irand Lodge of 
that order held at Nashville, Tenn. 

Thomas H. Hvman. 

How much is offered for this very enterprising gentleman ? Make a start, name 
the price, and get your money ready; but it must be remembered that he is worth his 
weight in gold, for he is one of the best tobacco auctioners in America, and can t be 
sold cheap. Mr. Hyman has followed the vocation of auctioneer for over twenty years. 



433 
selling for numerous firms and hundreds of persons annually. He is a man of the most 
honorable principles; energetic, accommodating, and probably the most popular general 
utility man associated with Clarksville tobacconists. Mr. Hyman was born at Louis- 
\ille, Ky., December 28th, 1837, son of Samuel and Henrietta B. (Oliver) Hyman, of 
Scotch-Irish descent. He acquired his education at schools in Louisville, and finished 
a business course at Boyd's Commercial College there. He has been Chief of the Fire 
1 )epartment and City Marshal, and was a leader in establishing the public school system 
here. He is a public spirited man in everything that is inclined to make this, his 
adopted city, prosperous, and enjoys the respect, esteem and confidence of the public 
generally. In i860 he married Miss Eva Cooper, of New Orleans, and they have three 
1 hildren, Samuel A., Emma M., and Edward J. Mr. Hyman is a member of the 
-Masonic order, and has been for over twenty years, having been Senior Deacon in his 
Blue Lodge for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hyman belong to the Methodist Church, 
and are very attentive to their duties in church affairs. 

RUFUS J. GOOSTREE. 

This gentleman is a member of the Tobacco Board of Trade and deals considerable 
ill the luxurious plant. He, however, devotes most of his time to cultivating tobacco 
and stock raising, but includes all kinds of products in his farming pursuits. He is 
very enterprising, and at all times wide awake to business. He is a native of Sumner 
county, Tenn., born March 4th, 1833. He received a good common school educa- 
tion, and began hustling for himself at the age of twenty-two. He first engaged in the 
livery business, and followed this until 1859, when he sold out and came to Mont- 
gomery county and married Miss Mary Wylie, who died in i860. Mr. Goostree 
joined the Fourteenth Tennessee Infantry in 1861, and served the Confederacy until 
the close of the war, receiving wounds at Petersburg. He surrendered with General 
Lee's army at Appomatcx Court House, Virginia, and returned home and engaged in 
farming. In 1867 he married Miss Rachel A. Hinton, daughter of John J. Hinton, a 
prominent citizen of Davidson county, Tenn. When the Memphis branch of the 
Louisville & Nashville Railroad was being put through, Mr. Goostree was a prominent 
< ontractor on the construction, and did his work in a satisfactory manner. He has 
lived for about twenty years on his present elegant farm near this city. Mr. floostree 
and wife are both Presbyterians. 

Sears Major. 
The subject of this sketch is one of the brightest and most active members of the 
young bar of Clarksville. He was born in Hopkinsville, Ky,, September 15th, 1862, 
and came to Clarksville in 1873. ^^f- Major is the eldest son of John N. and Marietta 
(Sears) Major. His father is a prosperous farmer of this county. His mother is the 
only child of Rev. A. D. Sears, one of the leading ministers of the Baptist Church in 
Tennessee, and of whom an extended sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. 
.Major received his education at Stewart College. In 1881 he began the study of law 
under the direction of Hon. Wm. M. Daniel. He attended law lectures at Vanderbilt 
I'niversity, graduating from that institution in June, 1883, and immediately entered 



434 
upon the practice of his profession. Since that time he has been an active and success- 
ful i)ractitioner. He is a member of the Baptist Church, having connected himself 
with that denomination in 1876. 

Isaac Rosenfelu. 

An attractive feature of the dry goods trade of Clarksville is the store of Isaar 
Rosenfeld, at the northeast corner of First and Franklin streets. The building iN 
twenty-five by one hundred and fifty feet in size, two stories high, and is filled con- 
stantly with a fine line of novelties in dress goods, clothing, etc. The house employs 
si.x salesmen, who are mostly under the instruction of Mr. Sam Rosenfeld, the oldest 
son of the proprietor. Mr Rosenfeld has a large store at Murfreesboro, and he divides 
his time lietween the two cities, that business being in the hands of his two sons, Ben- 
jamin and (Charles, and both houses are flourishing finely. Mr. Ro.senfeld is a native 
of Leiiterhausan, Bavaria, and came to .\merica forty years ago. He lived at Mur- 
freesboro o\er twenty years, and in 1885 came to Clarksville and established his business 
here, He has nine children, most of whom are wel grown, and are rendering him 
valuable assistance, :is the entire family is full of energy and enterprise. 

Elias Glick. 

Among tlie many prosperous merchants of Clarksville, none have been blessed 
with fortune to a greater extent than Klias Glick, wlio is in the dry goods business in 
the old Hillman block, the store formerly occupied by Pitman & Lewis. Here he 
owns a storeroom twenty-one by one hundred and thirty-one feet, and every portion of 
it i-i filled with valuable merchannise. He has five well trained assistants in the various 
de|)artments. and the sale annually is enormous. Mr. Glick established himself in 
business in this city in 1870, and notwithstanding the fact that he has twice been burned 
out, he is now on his feet again in elegant shape. He is strictly honorable in his deal- 
ings, has acquired considerable property, and stands A No. one as a citizen and mer- 
chant. He is a native of Austria-Hungary, and first landed in America in 1866, com- 
ing to Clarksville, but he left here and went to Shelbyville, Tenn., where he lived 
eighteen months, and then returned to this city. He married Miss Bettie Shyer, then 
(if Hopkinsville, but her father, S. Shyer, is now a prosperous merchant of this city. 
They have quite a family of children. Mr. Glick is a member of the Knights of 
H' nor, and is |)roud of that noble order. 

HaRRJSON & DUGAN. 

This enterprising firm is located on the east side of Third street, between Franklin 
and Commerce, where it manufactures carriages, buggies, and. in fact, every and all 
kinds of pleasure vehicles. The factory covers a space fronting on Third street sixty 
by "Me hundred and sixty feet, and this is connected with a department twenty-five by 
one hundred feet fronting on (Commerce street. It furnishes employment for twenty- 
five men durini^ the busy season, and has a capacity for turning out one hundred and 
fifty new jobs annually, besides doing an immense amount of repairing. It is one o' 
the liveliest places of business in the city, and its product is second to none in the 



435 
<ountry. (j. A. Harrison, senior member of the lirm, is a native of this city, a son of 
the late A. B. Harrison, the well known tobacco man. He went through the common 
schools and Stewart College here, but prior to engaging in his present occupation, 
served twelve years in the dry goods business, and in 1881 became the partner of A. 
Dugan. Mr. Harrison married Miss Sarah King, daughter of the late Judge King, and 
they have two children, Maude and William. Mr. Harrison is a Presbyterian, while 
.Mrs. Harrison belongs to the Baptist Church. Anthony Dugan was born in Ireland, 
but came to the United States in 1852. He first located in Delaware, where he learned 
his trade, and afterwards moved to Louisville, where he lived five years, but in 1866 
he came to Clarksville and worked at carriage making at journeyman's wages. In 
1 88 1 he became a partner of Mr. Harrison, and has since flourished finely. Mrs. 
Dugan is a native of Maryland, but they were married in Delaware, her maiden name 
being Miss Annie E. Brady. They have one child at home, John V., and both him- 
self and wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

The Clarksville Democrat. 

This paper was founded in 1882 by M. V. Ingram and others. At its inception 
it was only intended as a campaign paper, being called into existence by the exceed- 
ingly heated controversy over the State debt settlement, both the other journals of the 
< ity espousing the side of high tax, or Skyblue party, as it was called, which favored 
paying the debt in full. At the close of the canvass, the element for which the Demo- 
ti-at had fought being successful, it was determined to make the paper permanent. The 
/?(7//(vr<z/ continued under the control of Mr. Ingram until 1883, when he sold out to 
R. M. Hall and B. M. DeGraffenried, who conducted it until 1884, when Mr. Hall 
sold out his interest to Mr. DeGraffenried. who employed Mr. G. M. Bell to edit the 
jjaper. This arrangement continued until April, 1885, when Mr. DeGraffenried's 
liealth's failed, and he was forced to sell out, Mr. Bell becoming sole proprietor as well 
as editor. The following October Mr. Bell sold a half interest to John S. Miller, and 
in the Spring of 1886 the other half. Mr. Miller conducted the paper alone until 
August, 1887, when he sold a half interest to Arthur E. Harris, under which manage- 
ment the paper still continues. In politics the Di'inocrat is all the name implies, in fact 
it is so radically Democratic as to have frequently had the name " Bourbon" applied it. 

J. J. Garrott. 

Among the most enterprising agriculturalists in the vicinity of Clarksville is the 
gentleman whose name appears above. Besides being an extensive farmer and tobacco 
raiser, he deals in tobacco and is a member of the Clarksville Tobacco Board of Trade. 
He owns a magnificent farm and country seat about three miles north of the city, and 
his eight hundred acres is well attended to while* his other business is pushed vigorously 
year after year. Mr. Garrott stands pre-eminent in the estimation of the people of this 
vicinity, as he is known by everybody, old and young. His parents, Jacob and Ann 
C. (Going) Garrott, who were of Scotch-Irish descent, died in Illinois. He was born 
near this city, December 30th, 1833, and was educated in the common schools of 



436 
Montgomery country. He followed farming until the war broke out. and then he 
joined Company F, of the Seventh Kentucky Confederate Infantry. He fought at 
Shiloh, Vickgburg, Port Hudson, Shell Mound, Baton Rough, and wound up his war 
record as a member of Forrest's Cavalry. He received five wounds, and returned home 
wearing his marks of a brave, courageous soldier, in 1865, after the last war note had 
been sounded. In the Fall of that year he began merchandising at New Providence, 
and this he continued for eight years. The next two years he engaged in the tobacco 
commission business at New York city, but he eventually returned to his native heath 
and resumed farming, and occupied his present elegant home in 1873. On the 19th 
of November, 1883, one of the most exciting events that ever transpired in this vicinity 
occurred in this house. At an early hour in the morning Mr. Garrott detected a burg- 
lar at work in his family room, whom he succeeded in shooting with a shot gun. The 
wounded burglar fled from the house and fell dead outside. Mr. and Mrs. Garrott 
then had a hand to hand struggle with a second burglar, who had come to his pall's 
assistance, during which Mr. Garrott was shot through the lung. Bleeding rapidly and 
becoming weak, Mr. (Jarrott was obliged to let go the fellow and allow him to escape. 
This incident will never be forgotten by the people of Montgomery county. Mrs. 
( Jarrott was formerly Miss Nannie P. Grinstead, of Kentucky, and both she and he are 
members of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic order, and is 
highly honored and esteemed by all. 

SaMUKI, B. SlKWAKr. 

Samuel B. Stewart was born in 1843, at Lafayette Furnace, Stewart county, son 
(if Professor \\"m. M. Stewart, a sketch of whom will be found on page 53 of this book. 
He was educated at Stewart College, and after graduat- 
ing, read medicine with a view to practicing the profes- 
sion. In 1863 he entered, as a clerk, the drug store 
of E. R. W. and T. .A. Thomas, then doing business 
in the old Elder block, fronting on the Square, second 
door from the corner. He learned rapidly, and soon 
gained for himself the reputation of being the best pre- 
scriptionist that was ever in Clarksville; a young man 
of quiet, amiable disposition, and universally popular. 
.\bout the close of the war he had become so interested 
and attached to the business, that he bought out the 
Thomas Brothers, and has since been engaged in the 
drug business up to the Summer of 1887, when tailing 
Mr. Stewart was married in 1866 to Miss Medora Judkins, 
daughter of Albert and Mary Judkins. Mrs. Judkins is a daughter of William Couts, 
of Robertson county, sister of John F. Couts, and niece of Hon. Cave Johnson. Mrs. 
Stewart is a very superior lady in all that goes to make up noble and Christian woman- 
hood. 




health forced Inm to retne 



437 
The following tribute to the memory of Mr. Stewart is from the pen of Mr. John 
W. Ivixon, and appeared in the Chronicle of November 12th, 1S87: The death of 
Samuel B. Stewart, of this city, on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock, from dropsy, was 
not unlooked for. It was known to the community in which he has lived for nearly a 
third of a century, from boyhood to manhood, that death had marked him for his own 
some months since. Yet the announcement of his death fell like a pall upon the hearts 
of numerous friends who had known him. and loved him, from his early youth. He 
was born at Lafayette Furnace, in this county, on the 21st of March, 1844. His father 
was William M. Stewart, his mother Jane B. Stewart, both of Philadelphia, who emi- 
grated to this section early in 1842, where Mr. Stewart engaged in the iron business, 
which at that time was one of our most prosperous commercial industries. Mr. Wil- 
liam M. Stewart, his father, moved to the vicinity of this city in 1850, where he 
resided until his death. He was the founder of Stewart College, after whom it was 
named, and from which s|irung our .Southwestern Presbyterian University. From 
his boyhood, the subject of this notice had a peculiar fascination of manner about him 
which drew close to him those whom he wished to love. In this world, outside of his 
circle of friends, he had no desire to mingle — public life had no charms for him. He 
preferred a few warm social companions to a host of insincere friends, and those who 
knew him best were those he loved the liest. With a bright brisk mind, a memory 
remarkable for its intentness, he read and digested the best authors, and culled from 
their best thoughts. Dur'ng his last illness, every attention that loved ones could give 
to make the cup he felt compelled to drink less bitter, were proffered by kind and lov- 
ing hands. His last month was one of great suffering, but he professed Christ as his 
Saviour and bore all his pain and anguish with patience and fortidude, because, as he 
said, "The Master willed it." The writer knew and loved Sam Stewart from his early 
boyhood, and with all his schoolmates he can join in casting upon his silent grave a 
tribute of love and shed a tear of regret that one so full of noble imj)ulses, one so fully 
endowed with intellectual gifts from the Creator, should so early pass from the stage of 
action. The night of death has come, the cord of life is snapped assunder, but we 
have every assurance that the noble spirit of our lost friend has been wafted to a land 
of love and brightness, "where mortality has put on immortality," and "where the 
weary are at rest." 

RicH.ARD W. Glenn. 

One of the most recent, and at the same time energetic merchants that has been 
added to Clarksville's business list is Richard W. Glenn, son of James L. and Ella 
(Poindexter) (ilenn. This young merchant king was born in Clarksville November 
14th, 1865, and was educated mostly at Stewart College, but finished at the University 
of the South, at Sewanee, Tennessee, after which he went into mercantile pursuits. In 
November, 1887, Mr. Glenn opened up in a bran new store on Franklin street near 
First. It is a three-story brick, iron and glass structure, tw-enty-five by one hundred 
and two feet in the clear, and has a full length cellar and a basement. The house is 



erected on the most modern plan with elevators and all other fixed commodities suita- 
ble to the business that Mr. Glenn has adapted it to. The massive skylights, the plate 
glass front and the large windows at the rear furnish the most superb light imaginable. 
The fixtures are made of cherry and contrast beautifully throughout the store. The 
counters, shelving, bins, racks and other furniture arc of the finest quality and very 
superior in design. Mr. Glenn conducts a first-class fancy grocery, and has on sale 
every luxury imaginable. He is ]3robably the youngest merchant in Clarksville, and is 
commonly known among his friends as " Little Uick" Glenn. He is a man possessed 
of the highest standard of honor, and is well endorsed by the public of Clarksville and 
the surrounding country. 

Ch.ari.es a. Gossett. 

This young and very enter]irising gentleman, who recently made his debut into the 

business arena of Clarksville. is prospering finely. He now occupies the building 

recently conducted by C. D. and C. H. Bailey, on Franklin street between the Public 

Square and First street. The new building is one of the most attractive in the block 

m which it is located, and is twentv-five t'cet front 
by one hundred and twenty-five deep, having three 
stories and a fine cellar. The ground floor con- 
tains the finest display of bed room setts to be 
found in this part of the State, while the second 
floor is a grand parlor of itself, filled with the most 
magnificent dis|ilay of parlor goods imaginable. 
The third story contains everything in the ordinary 
and common line of household furniture of every 
kind, while the cellar is filled with odds and ends 
of this, that and other kind. This palace of furni- 
ture is decidedly the best and most tlioroughly 
equip|ied house of its kind in this surrounding coun- 
try, and as its owner is a young man with an abund- 
ance of determination, honor, and pluck, there is 
no immediate danger of it being surpassed. The 
people of Clarksville are exceedingly proud of this 
massive im])rovement in the city's business, and 
predict for Mr. Gossett an unqualified success. Mr. Gossett was born in Robertson 
county, Tennessee, August 12th, 1862, and was educated at Franklin, Kentucky, 
mostly. He, however, attended school at Harrisburg, Missouri, and began business 
in the furniture line at Bowling Green, Ky., in the Spring of 1886. He came to this 
city in November, 1886, and has been very successful as a merchant of Clarksville 
since. In point ot honor and integrity Mr. Gossett cannot be surpassed. 




T^PPeiNDIX. 



Clarksville in Isei. 



Incidents and REminiscEncES— The CurrEnt of EvEntB— The War 

FEEllng— TliE Uninn and SECB'ssinn FartiES— Public MeeI- 

ings, Canventicns and ElEctinns— The First Call for 

"ynluntEErs — Ths 14th REgiment DrganizEd— Its 

Muster Rail— TIie Bays TakE Up thE LinE nf 

March for Virginia— Dther Camniands 

and Individuals — NaruES of Dur 

Bays Captured at the Fall af 

Fart BnnElson, &c,, &c, 



The following pages are collected chiefly from the files of the Chronicle for 1861, 
then edited by R. W. Thomas, who was a staunch old line Whig and Union man. His 
editorials repeated here show the movements of parties and indicate most clearly the 
influences which compeled the people of Tennessee to take up arms in self defence. 
These reminiscences begin with an editorial in the Chronicle of January 4th, 1861, in 
which the editor takes a firm stand against separate State secession : 

"Separate secession is Southern disunion, and the State that adojjts it not only 
abandons all its rights in the Union, but betrays the States to which it is bound by 
community of interests and identity of institutions. South Carolina has thus absconded 
and Alabama and Mississippi promise to follow-in her wake in a very few days. These 
facts demand of the remaining slave States prompt action and a common purpose ; and 
what that purpose should be is too clearly indicated to be mistaken. We have repeat- 
edly urged that a united South should exhaust every constitutional means for the pres- 
ervation of the Union before recourse is had to the extreme measure of revolution, and 



that the present opportunity for demanding the full recognition of our rights and addi- 
tional guarantees for their future security should not be lost. To this end we have 
advised a conlerence of the slave States, and a stern demand of them of all we have a 
right to- claim as equal partners in a common government; and if this demand be not 
granted by the North, then we are for a Southern Confederacy. This is the only 
policy that holds out a hope of saving the Union; and if this fails, the responsibility 
will rest upon the sectional fanatics who are willing to trample upon the rights of the 
South in defense of mock philanthropy. Can the slave States consistently with their 
honor and safety adopt any other policy ? The leading demand of the South, during 
the last canvass — a demand based upon the clearest constitutional rights, and involving 
the equality of the States — was that the slave-holder should be protected in the Terri- 
tories, and what is the answer? That the Black Republicans will not so far forego the 
fruits of their victory as to suffer one foot of Territory to be trodden by a slave, and, of 
course, that another slave State shall not be added to the Confederacy. Where is the 
article in the federal com|)act which gives to the North all the Territories, and the 
power to declare that they shall, or shall not, recognize the institution of slavery? 
That power is to be found alone in the will of an arrogant sectional majority, and is the 
South prepared to back down from its position, and cower beneath an arrogance whose 
demands and aggressions will increase with the feebleness of the resistance with which 
they are met? If so, it will be a tacit admission that the demands of the South are not 
based upon justice, and that all its threats were but empty bravado — meriting nothing 
but Northern contempt, and inviting additional Northern aggression. In demanding 
our rights, we ask the North to concede nothing of right or principle. The Constitu- 
tion makes all the States equal and guarantees to them equal protection. The South 
demands this protection, and if it be denied by a sectional majority, equality is at an 
end, the Constitution is violated, and the aggrieved party must seek redress in revolu- 
tion, if no other means prove effective. If slavery be a sin, the North is not respon- 
sible for it, and has no right to meddle with it in any shape. Let its abstract opinions 
of freedom be what they may, they are not of higher authority than the Constitution, 
and any attempt to make those opinions the rule of action in the administration of the 
Government, in the face of the law and the Constitution, is no less revolutionary than 
secession itself. Were the South in a majority, and should undertake to destroy the 
labor-saving machinery of the North upon the fanatical idea that it injuriously com- 
petes with free labor, makes the rich richer, and the poor poorer, how earnestly would 
that section protest that the Constitution protects their machines and that the South has 
no right to interfere with property thus protected! Every such machine tends to en- 
slave the poor by decreasing the demand for their labor and increasing their necessities; 
and a morbid philanthropy may with as much justice wage war upon the labor-saving 
machines, as inimical to freedom, as it may denounce Southern institutions as tending 
to the same end. But would the North submit to such interference with their ma- 
chines? We think not. Then we claim, for the South, the same right to resist a sim- 
ilar aggression ; and if a Northern majority overrule the Constitution and deny us its 



3 
protection, there is but one manly and honorable course left to pursue, and that is 
revolution, by compact and concerted action. Separate secession is cowardly, traitor- 
ous, and utterly destructive of the ends to be attained. Cowardly, because it is flying 
from an enemy that should be boldly met, and abandoning rights which should be 
defended ; traitorous, because it is a desertion of friends and allies, and destructive 
because it divides the South and fritters away the strength that union would give it. 
(iive us a united South and a united demand for our constitutional rights, and if this 
demand be rejected by the North, then let us form a Southern Confederacy. Let this 
])olicy be adopted at once, and the difficulty settled, one way or the other, now and 
forever. We cannot adjourn it with honor or safety — a (|uiet surrender will make the 
North despise us, and delay will but increase the danger that environs us." 



"The Legislature meets on Monday, and has important duties to perform — bearing 
upon Federal as well as State policy. Some measures are indispensable for the relief 
of the financial embarrassments which are pressing so heavily upon the people. What 
those measures should be we shall not attempt to say, but trust they will prove efficient, 
for never did the people stand in greater need of aid than at this time. In view of the 
distracted condition of the country, and the rapidly increasing demand for concert of 
action amongst the slave States, we hope the Legislature will second that demand and 
provide for the representation of Tennessee in a Southern Convention, should one be 
called, or for Commissioners, should another form of conference be agreed upon by 
the other States. Tennessee should speak out distinctly and wisely. Its geographical 
])osition — to say nothing of its population, commerce and intelligence — gives it no little 
weight in this hour of trial, and both sections will look, with interest, to the proceed- 
ings of the Legislature which, though not elected with any reference to the present 
emergency, it is to be hoped will discard party feeling and look only to the great inter- 
ests involved. There is still another question bearing upon our Federal relations 
which we hope will not be overlooked. We allude to the late speech of Andy John- 
son. During the late Presidential canvass we did not hear a Democratic speaker who 
did not openly proclaim resistance in case Lincoln was arrested, or contend that seces- 
sion was the rightful and constitutional remedy for Northern aggressions. This was 
the almost universal sentiment of the Democrats of Tennessee, and not a few of the 
opposition inclined to the same opinions. This being the case, it is evident that Andy 
Johnsoii has misrepresented the State, and, in doing so, has given aid and comfort to 
the Black Republicans. At this particular time, when Committees of both Houses of 
Congress are an.xiously seeking some mode of adjustment, policy should have dictated 
the suppression of such a speech from a Southern man, as eminently calculated to en 
<ourage the Republicans in resistance to any efforts to settle the difficulty, and to mis- 
lead them as to the feelings of the people of Tennessee. This false impression it is the 
duty of the Legislature to correct, and, at the same time, to rebuke the Senator for 
pandering to Northern sentiment, with ulterior views of personal aggrandizement. 
^\'e agree with Andy Johnson, in the main, in his denial of the right of secession, and. 



4 
under ordinary circumstances, the denial of the right would imply the power to coerce; 
but, in this case, such an inference is not altogether legitimate. The violator of a con- 
tract has no right to coerce the party with whom he contracted to stand to the bargain 
after his own act has annulled it. If the Republican .States had uniformly complied 
with all the requirements of the law and the Constitution, and South Carolina had 
seceded without any e.xcuse, there would be a show of justice — indeed it would become 
a duty to force her back into the ranks, and all good citizens would sanction it. But 
ten of the Republican States have nullified a law of Congress, and violated a provision 
of the Constitution — besides having aided in converting a national into a sectional Gov- 
ernment. This being undeniably true, their own violation of the Federal compact 
divests them of the right to enforce its observance liy others, and it is adding insult to 
injury to even hint that a Southern State may, or ought to be, coerced by a party which 
was the first to violate the Constitution and laws. .A.nd such a hint from a Southern 
man, at this time and under such circumstances, bespeaks the traitor at heart and 
betrays the grovelling instincts of the dirty demagogue. We are no advocate of seces- 
sion, as a constitutional right, nor of disunion till all honorable efforts have failed to 
avert it ; neither do we admit that two wrongs make a right, but we have no toleration 
for the idea that the Republican party, after being guilty of nullification, shall be per- 
mitted to use force against a Southern State for a similar offense. These are our senti- 
ments, and we believe the same are entertained by an overwhelming majority of the 
people of Tennessee. If so, .\ndy grossly misrepresents the State, and his bid for 
the succession to Lincoln calls for a stern rebuke from the representatives of the 
people.'' 

From the Chronicle of Jan mi r\ wth. 
"We see that hand-bills have been issued calling for a meeting of the citizens of 
this county, on Monday next, "to take into consideration the impending crisis, and the 
preservation and maintenance of Southern rights against Northern aggression and 
fanatical violence.' When a proposition was made, some weeks ago, for a Union 
meeting, we discouraged it upon the ground that such meetings carry no weight with 
them, because, at best, they afford but an im[)erfect clue to public opinion and be- 
cause their tendency is to create divisions amongst the people. We still entertain the 
same opinion, and believe that the whole subject had better be left to the Legislature, 
now in session. Should a convention of the State be called, the election of delegates 
will give full and conclusive expression to public sentiment through the only reliable 
channel — the ballot-bo.x — and should no convention be called such meetings as the one 
proposed will not contribute, in the slightest degree, to the settlement of the 'impend- 
ing crisis,' and may do much to array the people one against another, and committing 
the impulsive to positions which their cooler judgment may not endorse. We are for 
the Union, emphatically, and believe that the best Union measure is a conference of 
the slave States, and the submission, by that conference, of an ultimatum to the North, 
accompanied by the declaration that the question must be settled now and forever, and 
leaving the responsibility of union or disunion with the people of the free States. This 



5 
jilan of action can lie carried out only through the Legislatures of the slave States, in 
the first place, and then by the convention elected directly by the people. To the ad- 
vancement of this |)lan, county meetings — composed of a hundred or two men brought 
together by curiosity, or sympathy with the spirit of the call — cannot be auxiliary even; 
on the contrary, they serve to embarrass and mislead by the promulgation of opinions 
assumed to be the sentiment of the county, when, in fa( t, the)- may be entertained by 
a meagre minority. Union and disunion meetings have been held all through the 
South, and whilst they have, in many instances, led to angry discussions, we have not 
seen the first evidence of any good effected by them. The 'impending crisis' is not 
one to be controlled by such demonstrations ; legislative enactments and direct recourse 
tT the ballot-bo.\ are the only agencies through which it can be reached and successfully 
adjusted. One meeting has already been held here, and passed its resolutions in favor 
of the Uuion and honorable terms; should another be held, endorsing South Carolina 
and separate secession, they will nullify each other, and Montgomery will be held not 
to have spoken at all ; Init if secession be not the object of the proposed meeting, 
where is the necessity for two on the same side of the (juestion?" 



"The Kno.wille Jicgistci- says the only question for Tennessee to decide is — 
Whether she will go with the South or adhere to the North. At this time there is no 
such ijuestion before the people of this State, who are too wise and patriotic to resort 
to revolution until all constitutional means of redress have been tried, and too high- 
toned and chivalric to submit to Northern domination when such means have failed. 
We hope to see the Legislature, now in session, take a firm stand upon the Crittenden 
resolutions as an ultimatum, then urge upon the non-seceding States co-operation upon 
this basis, and declare, firmly but temperately, that unless the North acquiesce in that 
demand, Tennessee will withdriw from the Union. The Gulf States are more danger- 
ous enemies to the South than even New England. Their policy is inviting civil war 
when there might be a peaceable separation; it is frittering away Southern strength by 
separate action and by premature ruinous expenditures of the sinews of war, and by 
weakening the moral force so essential to the maintenance of a cause involving the vital 
interests of the entire South, 'i'hen the question for Tennessee to decide is — not 
whether she shall stri\e to keep ])ac;e with the (iulf States in their career of self- 
destruction, but whether she shall, by wisdom and firmness, try to save the Union first, 
and, failing in this, to save the South from its enemies at home." 
From the Chronicle of January 1 8///. 

"The meeting called for Monday last took place, but resulted, we believe, differ- 
ently from what was anticipated by those who oalled it. The Union side of the ques- 
tion was advocated by Messrs. Bailey and House, and the secession side by Messrs. 
Harrel and Yancy. We were prevented from being present by indisposition, and can 
say nothing, therefore, of the merits of the speeches; the result, however, was the 
adoption, with slight modifications, of the Louisville resolutions which embody the 
main features of the Crittenden proposition. The people of Tennessee are not prepared 



6 

to go out of the Union whilst there is a chance to save it on honorable terms; miirh 
less are they prepared to encounter the anarchy and ruinous expenditures that must 
follow sejiarate secession with no rallying point — no common government to supply the 
place of the one abandoned. Tennessee is for co-operation in the effort to obtain re- 
dress for grievances, and for co-operation in secession should those grievances not be 
redress^-d; and she wants, in addition, some fixed plan of government for the new 
Confederacy before she lets go the old. The course pursued liy the (iulf States is the 
result of passion, and returning reason will disclose the fatal error into which they have 
been preci])itated. Tennesseans are as sensiti\e to the election of Lincoln and the in- 
sults of the North as the Mississippians, but with cooler heads and steadier nerves, 
they choose to inquire where they are to land, before they leap, and to deliberate upon 
the chances of settling existing difficulties before they resort to revolution. But when 
they are satisfied that the Northern majority is determined to trample upon Southern 
rights and deny to the slave States equality in the Union, then it will be found that 
Tennessee is not only true to the South but more efficient in its defense than those 
Ciulf States, because she will be completely armed with the right, and because her 
strength will be unimpaired by the needless waste of premature and ill-advised prepara- 
tion. It should be the settled purpose of every Tennessean to have a full and satis- 
factory adjustment of the sectional quarrel, at this time, 'f disunion be the only 
alternative left us by the North, let us try and have a Union of the South and not all 
fly off into petty sovereignties '-entemptible in si/.e and more contemi)tible for the folly 
manifested by the States which have led off in the work of disunion. Let Tennessee 
stand firm until her honor bids iier quit the Union; in the meantime, let her find out 
where she is to go, and under what sort of government she is to live — whether as a 
separate sovereignty, or as a member of another Confederacy — and if the last, on what 
terms." 



"If the balance of the State is like this city and county, Tennessee is thoroughl)' 
and unalterably opjjosed to the unholy designs of the secessionists and disunionists. 
We have heard the present posture of affairs talked about a great deal, and by all 
classes of men, and yet we have to find the first man who is in favor of immediate seces- 
sion. And yet our people are not for the Union at the sacrifice of Southern rights or 
Southern honor. They are for it, though, so long as it can be preserved with those 
considerations intact, and are opposed to sacrificing it on the altar of South Carolina 
whim. They ad\ocate a s)>irit of toleration and forbearance on the part of the South- 
ern States, until a resort can be had to every possible honorable means of saving the 
L'nion, when, if all such resources fail, when it shall be made apparent that we cannot 
obtain our rights in the Union, why then they say. let us all go out together. Such a 
course as this, however it might result, would carry with it the respect of the civilized 
world; but the mad precijjitation which marks the action of the 'Cotton States' never 
can. This Union, however lightly others may esteem it, is in the estimation of every 
riiiht-iTiinded patriot worth an effort to preserve it. The noblest patriotism the world 



7 
ever knew conceived it, and it was brought forth and baptized in patriots' blood! The 
sufferings of our Revolutionary sires through the long winter nights and hopeless days 
at \'alley Forge, were alone enough, even were there no other memories of what our 
liiierties cost, to bid us pause in the work of destroying the very temple of those liber- 
ties. Hut a hundred memories, else than that, appeal to us to preserve it; and callous 
must be the heart that can resist their pleadings. The course that we have above indi- 
cated as the one that ought to be pursued, embodies our own sentiments and our 
position, and we think they can hardly be misunderstood, even by the dullest. We do 
not, by any means, hold that the South have no cause for complaint against the North. 
We know that they have long borne with acts of aggression and injustice from their 
Nt)rthern neighbors, that have for years past been a cause of serious apprehension to 
every lover of his country. It is not necessary to recapitulate here the wrongs and in- 
justice done to the South, for they are known to every man of ordinary intelligence. 
I!ut the ([uestion is, May not these grievances be removed? It is true that the Repub- 
lican party have, so far, manifested a very stubborn spirit, but still that is no sufficient 
reason for plunging the nation into the horrors of dissolution and civil war. No, far 
from it I It is only after every possible means of preserving our Union has been tried, 
and failed — only after the South has done all that they possibly can to maintain our na- 
tional brotherhood, and failed, that a resort ought to be had to dissolution ; and 
palsied, we say, be the arm that is lifted against that Umon until then." 
From the Chronicle of Februaiy \st. 
"When the political caldron is boiling, new questions, like bubbles, rise to the 
surface, and though as unsubstantial, are attended with all the noise and commotion 
of the seething mass, whilst the particles which compose it are undergoing constant 
and rapid changes of their relative positions. In the present excited state of the public 
mind, it is not unusual to see conservative men become e,\treme, and extreme become 
conservative. The ties of former policical affinities are sundered, and men are con- 
stantly surprised by running against political antagonists in the persons of those with 
whom there had lately been the heartiest co-operation. Such is the effect of revolution 
when passion is rampant and reason has receded — when appeals to the belligerent 
organs of the people are answered by demonstrations of 'spunk,' whilst the judgment 
sleeps. When we started to the Court House, on Monday morning, to attend the 
regular convention called for that day, it was with the hope of seeing something like 
unanimity of action, and the manifestation, on the part of the crowd, of a desire to try 
every constitutional means of saving the Union before resorting to the extreme measure 
of secession. On the way, however, this hope was weakened by seeing hand-bills 
calling for a convention of all those in favor of Southern rights and opposed to coercion. 
Believing there is not a man in the county who is not in favor of Southern rights and 
opposed to coercion, the peculiar terms of this call aroused the unpleasant suspicion 
that a party, in our midst, is at work for immediate secession, and when we witnessed 
a portion of the proceedings of the irregular convention, and heard the speeches, this 
suspicion became conviction. True to the position we took, in the beginning of this 



struggle — ^that all constitutional means should be exhausted before Tennessse takes the 
fearful, and, perhaps, fatal leap, into the gulf of revolution — we repudiate the spirit 
and purpose of the immediate secessionists, and would rather see the convention voted 
down than made up of those who would 'hustle' Tennessee out of the Union in imita- 
tion of the Gulf States. The indications at the North encourage the belief that, witli 
time, the Union can be saved on terms honorable and satisfactory to all conservatix e 
Southern men, and when the question is whether that time shall be granted, or Ten- 
nessee immediately secede, we cannot hesitate to take a stand in favor of a reasonable 
delay. Talk with the most violent secessionist and he will not hesitate to assure you 
that he is in favor of saving the Union if it can be done on lionorable terms; talk with 
the most determined conservative and he will tell you that he is for secession in the 
event that no honorable adjustment can be made. ■ Then as the ultimate purpose of all 
is the satne, whence the difference of opinion — this division of parties? There is but 
one way of explaining it — the one party is for immediate secession, because it desires a 
Southern Confederacy, and the other is against immediate secession because it prefers 
the present Union and thinks it can yet be saved. This is the issue made up on Mon 
day; two sets of candidates are nominated upon it, and it is now plainly before the 
people — how stands Montgomery upon it ? This question the people must answer on 
the 9th, and we will not believe, until they so declare, that their vote will be cast for 
immediate secession — an experiment that must begin with the breaking up of a govern- 
ment, and will end in — God knows what. Tennessee cannot be dishonored by a 
faithful effort to save the Union even though Lincoln be inaugurated in the meantime, 
and the hazards attending the opposite course are too great to be incurred because 
some think that honor demands the secession of Tennessee before the 4th of March. 
Such hasty action was not contemplated when the convention was ordered, and the 
Legislature which ordered it passed resolutions intended to be a basis for its action. 
Those resolutions demand constitutional amendments as the condition upon which 
Tennessee will remain in the Union, and that demand implies time for action by all of 
the States concerned; and the very day fixed for the meeting of the convention is, of 
itself, conclusive proof that the Legislature did not contemplate the possibility of de- 
claring Tennessee out of the Union before the 4th of ^L^rch. Nor is such a result 
possible unless the Convention disregard the law which requires that its proceedings 
shall be submitted to the people for ratification or rejection. If the secessionists pro- 
pose to take upon themselves such a responsibility, the people ought to know it, and 
every candidate be required to pledge himself to a strict compliance with the act calling 
a convention. Already it has been declared that the provision of the act which requires 
submission to the people will be imperative, and it can be made so only by the refusal 
of the convention to obey the law, and rather than vee Tennessee dragged out of the 
Union by such means, let the convention be voted down. As parties are now arrayed, 
the question is immediate secession or such an effort to secure Southern rights as will 
necessarily require time. We are for the latter, as compatible not only with honor, but 
with the best interests of Tennessee and the ultimate good of all the States. Let those 



9 
who think differently act differently — it is a matter of individual opinion, and each one 
must be responsible to his conscience, to his country, to posterity.' 



" V\'e are told by Georgia and Alabama papers that those States were carried for 
secession by lying sensation dispatches, and we call upon the people of Tennessee to 
guard against the same influences. The same game will be attempted, no doubt, and 
the wires will become sonorous with reports calculated to incense us against the Nortli 
and enli^l our sympathies for the South. Heed them not." 



"We have never seen the da)\ since Lincoln's election, that we would have con- 
seiiled to see the slave States (piietly ac (|uiesce in his rule without a fmal settlement of 
the ([uestions to which his election has given \ilal importance. The cardinal doctrine 
of his ]jarty, that the South has no right in the common Territories, cannot be enforced 
without violating the equality of the States, and to this the South cannot submit without 
dishonor and a surrender of its constitutional rights. In support of its claims, the 
.South appeals to the Constitution and the spirit of the Federal compact which contem- 
plates the jjerfect equality of the States and the eciual protection of every right recog- 
ni/.ed by that instrument, whilst the North, in support of its claims to exclusive owner- 
slii|) of the Territories, appeals to a higher law than the constitution. This being the 
issue between the two sections, it devolves upon the North to show whence comes this 
higher law, and by what virtue it claims precedence over the constitution — behind and 
above which neither section has a right to look for endorsement of political heresies. 
Whether or not man can hold property in man, is a question the North has no right to 
raise — the constitution has settled it in the affirmative, and no quibble, no appeals to a 
higher law can evade the conclusion that such property is entitled to protection wher- 
e\ er it may be found upon the national domain. But, because we hold the North to 
be clearly in the wrong, it does not follow that we must believe the Gulf States to be 
right, or that separate secession is the rightful remedy for the evils of which they com- 
plain. We cannot endorse their course, and believe to-day, that they are the very 
worst enemies of the South. By separate secession, they have destroyed the unity of 
the South, are frittering away its strength, breaking down its credit, and bringing upon 
it the contempt of the great nations of the earth. Tennessee may be forced to dissolve 
its connection with the North, but let her beware of being dragged and draggooned 
into an allianc e that may involve her in all the horrors of an unnecessary war. If 
Tennessee woidd indeed befriend the Gulf States, let her earnestly endeavor — if she 
must secede — to build up a central power of the border free and slave States, that shall 
stand between the maddened extremes and command the peace — a central Confederacy 
with which conservative States may hereafter unite, and by thus gradually widening 
the space between antagonistic fanaticisms, eventually bring back all the States into 
one Union and under one government. This is a cause worthy of Tennessee's noblest 
efforts, and how far more wise and patriotic is such a course than madly dashing herself 
against Scylla in the effort to avoid Charybdis. There is a deep, though narrow chan- 



nel, between the whirpool and the rock, and the ship of State can navigate it in safety 
if the [jilot is only wise enough to turn a deaf ear to the syren song of secession. Then 
let Tennessee's first effort be to save as much of the Union as yet remains, and, failing 
in this, let her next object be the preservation of peace by the construction of a central 
Confederacy ; and when passion has cooled and fanaticism expended itself — when 
reason is left free to combat error, that Confederacy will be the point of attraction for 
State after State until every vagrant star shall have resumed its original place in the 
cluster that adorns our glorious old flag." 



"The meeting which we announced in our last week's paper, to be held on the 
following Monday to nominate candidates to the proposed State Convention, was held 
on that day. Entire nominations were not made on that day, owing to the absence of 
delegates from other counties interested in the Senatorial and Flotorial districts. The 
nominations were, however, completed next day, and are as follows : For the Senatorial 
District, Hon. Cave Johnson; for the Flotorial District, John F. House, Esq.; for the 
County, James E. Bailey, Esq., all of this city. These gentlemen are well known in 
this county, and, in fact, to the whole people they are proposed to represent. They 
are men of ripe judgment, of sound discretion, and undoubted patriotism. They love 
their whole country, and hold the preservation of the Union to be an object of para- 
mount importance, and look upon dissolution as one of the most fearful calamities that 
could befall us. While holding these views they yet feel that if a separation must come 
their allegiance is due to the South and will be lo\ally rendered; but they still hope 
that by ])rudent and wise counsels that separation may be averted. It would perhaps 
be thought by most of persons that the foregoing nominations would be acceptable to 
all, Init we regret to say that such is not the case. After the meeting above named, 
another was held at the instance of a portion of our citizens who represent what they 
term the Southern Rights, .\nti-Coercion element of our people. The object of this 
meeting was to nominate candidates for the convention, who would reflect more directly 
their views and opinions than those already nominated would. Their nominations are 
as follows: For the Senatorial District, Major G. A. Henry, of this city; for the Flo- 
torial District, W. P. Bryan, Esq., of Davidson ; for this County, G. A. Harrel, Esq., 
of this city. Of these gentlemen we may truly say all that we have said of the others, 
save wherein they differ from them as to the policy that Tennessee, as a State and the 
South as a section, ought to pursue at this juncture. No one who knows them will 
doubt that they are actuated by a conviction of right, and a sense of duty, however 
much they may question the propriety of their judgment. It is to be regretted that 
any difference exists among us in this matter, and the more so, when those differences 
are so slight. Both parties profess attachment to the Union, both say they desire to 
see it perpetuated if it can be on terms just and tair to the South, and both of course 
hold with the South, and claim for the South those rights the demand of which has 
caused the breach between it and the North. The difference between them is simply 
this: The jjarty first named, 'the Union party,' think that Tennessee ought yet to 



'wait,' yet remain in the Union, and yet make further efforts to bring about a settle- 
ment, believing a settlement yet possible. The other, the Southern Rights party think 
thai Tennessee has waited long enough, that such a settlement as the South can accept 
is no longer to be hoped for, and that we ought to take steps, at once, to follow those 
States that have already 'gone out.' Such is the position of the two parties in our 
midst, and their respective candidates. It remains for the people to determine which 
l)olicy it is wisest for us to adopt; and certainly every one will echo our hope that they 
will weigh the matter calmly and dispassionately, and form their conclusions with that 
deliberation which the magnitude of the interests involved demands."' 

From tlie CliivniiU' of Fc/iriiaiy bth. 
Address to the citizens of Stewart, Montgomery, Cheatham and Robertson counties : 

Fki.ijiw t'lTiZKNs — We have been selected as candidates to represent you in the 
State Con\eiition recently called by the Legislature, to assemble in Nashville on the 
25th of this month. The short time allowed by the General Assembly for the election 
of delegates precludes the possibility of anything like a thorough canvass of the coun- 
ties which we have been nominated to represent. The ninth of this month is the day 
fixed by an act of the Legislature for the election of delegates. But one short week re- 
mains for the people of Tennessee to consider the momentous question submitted to 
them in this election. We can hope to reach a large majority of you in no other way 
than through the medium of a circular, in which we feel that it will be impossible to 
discuss the grave questions of the day as fully as we desire and in a manner commen- 
surate with their great importance. 

No diversity of opinion exists at the South as to the wrongs and injustice done us 
by a ijortion of the States and people of the North. We have long deprecated that 
feeling of hostility, which some of the Northern people, stimulated by designing dema- 
gogues and religious zealots, have entertained toward the institutions and people of the 
South. Every true friend of his country has witnessed with regret the course of some 
of the Northern States in virtually nullifying, by solemn legislative enactments, the 
Fugitive Slave law passed in strict conformity with the provisions of the Federal Con- 
stitution. Regardless of our feelings, and unmindful of our rights, wicked and ambi- 
tijus politicians have succeeded in building up a great geographical party, and electing 
a sectional candidate to the Presidency of the United States. The plainest dictates of 
reason and common sense should have taught the Northern people that a great party, 
sectional in character and hostile in its ends and aims to the cherished interests of one- 
half the Confederacy, could not long exist without producing results which all patriots 
and friends of liberty throughout the world must deplore. The Union cannot endure 
another such triumph of sectionalism, if indeed ihe sacrifices of patriotism shall enable 
it to survive the present. It would be unnatural to suppose that the South could be- 
hold such a wanton and wicked experiment ujion the harmony of the Union with 
indifference, or fail to feel, in view of such a triumph, the liveliest apprehensions for 
the security of her rights under the Constitution. This sectional strife has reached a 
point where honor and interest alike demand a permanent settlement of the questions 



indifference between the sections, by such amendments to the Federal Constitution as 
shall forever remove the distracting question of slavery from the platforms of parties 
and the machinations of demagogues. Crippled commerce, ruined fortunes, prostrated 
credit aijd a dissolving Union should certainly convince the whole American people of 
the madness of permitting our former party contests upon the slavery question to be 
renewed. The business of the country, the prosperity and happiness of the people, 
and the existence of the best government in the world — all depend upon a proper set- 
tlement of the dangerous and exciting questions which now convulse the country. 
How and in what manner this settlement may be had is the great question which is 
now calling forth the anxious efforts of patriots all over the land. 

Some of our sister States of the South have already seceded from the Union. 
Their representatives in Congress have vacated their seats and thus weakened in the 
National Legislature that strength on which the South had a right to rely in this hour 
of peril for the protection of her rights. We feel that the desertion of the seceding 
States at such a juncture was not what we had a right to expect from them, considering 
our identity of interest in the institution of slavery, and that their action has seriously 
complicated the difficulties of an adjustment. Nevertheless, we deem it the imperative 
duty of every patriot and Christian to make an honest effort to so settle our present un- 
fortunate differences as to prevent any further disintegration of the Union, and satisfy 
our seceding sisters that it is their duty and interest to return to the fold from which 
they have wandered. 

We regard the propositions submitted to Congress by Hon. John. J. Crittenden as 
furnishing a fair and honorable basis of adjustment of the questions which now distract 
the country. Those propositions or their equivalent should in our opinion be satis- 
factory to the South. But we are told by those who seem to be in favor of hasty action 
that the North will not agree to such an adjustment, and the failure of Congress up to 
this time to pass the Crittenden resolutions is cited as conclusive evidence of the un- 
willingness of the North to accede to our reasonable demands. The lessons of the 
past ought certainly to teach us the folly of putting our trust in politicians. The pres- 
ent Congress is controlled by men who were elected in time of high party excitement, 
when none of the grave questions now before the country were at issue. They may 
refuse to pass the Crittenden resolutions — they may continue to stand between the 
people and an amicable adjustment ; for the adoption of Crittennen's propositions 
necessarily destroys the Black Republican ]iarty. and the present representatives of 
that party in Congress may fear the result of subniitting those propositions to a vote of 
the people. But the issue which the South makes should be made with the people 
of the North. They elected Lincoln and to them we should go and demand a redress 
of Oiir grievances. And we rejoice that the indications from the North are daily grow- 
iiig stronger that the people of that section have determined to take matters into their 
own hands and no longer follow the demagogues who have led them so far from the 
l)ath of fraternal feeling and Constitutional duty. Memorials are daily pouring in upon 
Congress from the Northern masses in favor of Crittenden's propositions. Some of the 



13 

Northern States have repealed their personal liberty bills, and others are preparing to 
do so. Over a million and a half of votes were cast against Lincoln in the North at 
the late election — more than the combined vote of Bell, Breckenridge and Douglas in 
the whole South. Thousands of men in the North voted for Lincoln without any ref- 
erence to his anti-slavery opinions. It is thought that the great State of Pennsylvania 
was carried for him on the tariff i|uestion. In view of these facts how can any man 
undertake to say to the peojjle of the South that the)' ought to break up this govern- 
niL-nt rather than wait to see whether the people of the North will do us justice? Is 
the government protecting the humblest citizen in person, property and reputation, of 
so little value to the people that they will not even give it a chance to survive the storm 
that threatens it? The secessionists tell us that Tennessee should go out of the Union 
bel'ore the 4th of March if additional guarantees are not given before that time. Why 
go out before the 4th of March? Can we not go out as well after as before that time? 
We have never been able to perceive the necessity for such hasty action. 

The (juestion is constantly asked, "What will we gain by waiting?" We re- 
siJictfiilly ask, What will we lose by reasDnable delay? We may gain the Union by 
waiting — we certainly will lose it by precipitately rushing out of it. It cost our fathers 
much toil and blood and suffering to form the Union. They thought they were trans- 
mitting to us a government worth preserving — a government which commands respect 
abroad and secures peace and prosperity at home. Yet we are told in effect that this 
Union of our fathers is of so little value that we ought not to wait longer than the 4th 
of March next for its preservation. Give the Union till the 4th of March to live, and 
then if the dangers that threaten its existence are not entirely removed, we must dis- 
])atch it at once and enter into a Southern Confederacy, which we are told will be far 
better than even our present form of government. 

Fellow citizens, such a proposition as this, two months ago, would have startled 
you. Is it possible that you can be induced to break this government up before the 
4th of March merely because selfish politicians who now control the Federal Govern- 
ment and the State Governments of the North cannot be induced in the twinkling of 
an eye to convert themselves into patriots, and give the ])eopIe of the North and the 
South an opportunity to settle their differences? The destinies of this great country 
should not be allowed to depend upon the Black Republicans now controlling Congress 
and the Legislatures of the North. This government belongs to the people — it has 
blessed them, protected and made them free and happy, and they should now defend 
and preserve it. The people made it — let none but the people unmake it. We know 
that dangers now surround it ; but the hour of danger is not the hour for brave men to 
desert what every consideration of honor, interest and safety should impel them to de- 
fend. Let us stand firm, and petiendy ivait until the people, not the politicians of the 
North, have an opportunity to redress our grievances. We believe they will do it. 
But they cannot do it before the 4th of March. Three millions and a half of men can 
not be moved in a minute. It requires time to do it in the very nature of the case. 
And if by the exercise of patient firmness we can save and transmit this government to 



14 
our posterity, we shall have achieved a work for which generations yet unborn will 
bless us. Let the great States of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, 
Kentucky and Missouri stand firm in this crisis — demanding of the Northern people 
what is right — submitting to nothing that is wrong ; and as God reigneth, we believe 
that our glorious Union may yet be saved. Is not this a consummation devoutly to be 
wished by every patriot? But, if our efforts should finally tail, if our reasonable ex- 
pectations should be disappointed, if the people of the North should refuse us our 
rights, and we should have to sever our connection with the North, each one of us can 
feel amid the ruins of this fair fabric of human freedom that he did his whole duty to 
avert the catastrophe. We are sometimes told that Mr. Lincoln will attempt to coerce 
the seceding States into the Union. We cannot believe that he will be guilty of such 
wickedness and folly. Coercion is nothing less than civil war in the present aspect of 
our affairs. And whilst we cannot subscribe to the doctrine that a State has the con- 
stitutional right to secede, we are unalterably opposed to coercion, and any attempt on 
the part of Mr. Lincoln to coerce the seceding States would unite every border slave 
State in firm and determined resistance. 

Should we be elected as your delegates, we shall do everything in our power to 
preserve the Union on a basis of equal justice to all its members. Those who have 
witnessed the quick succession of important and startling events can appreciate the 
difficulty of laying down a programme of our action in detail. Should we attempt this 
subsequent events might require a change. But we can say this to you : We are friends 
to this Union, and will use every effort consistent with the rights and honor of the 
South to preserve it — opposing rash and precipitate action. 

Should an ordinance of secession or any ordinance changing our relations with the 
Federal Government or our sister States be passed by the convention, we pledge our- 
selves to vote for its submission to the people, giving them ample time to consider of 
and vote upon it. We cannot conclude this circular without urging upon you the im- 
portance of voting for delegates as well as for a convention. We shall vote for the con- 
vention. The act requires that you should vote for or against a convention at the same time 
that you vote for delegates. Some of you may be opposed to a convention. \\'hether 
you vote for or against a convention it is important that you vote for delegates at the 
same time to represent you. For if you vote against a convention and fail to vote for 
delegates, the convention may be called notwithstanding your vote, and by your failure 
to vote for delegates, those may be elected to represent you that you do not desire. 
Be sure to have the names of the delegates you wish elected on your ticket whether 
you vote for or against a convention. Beware of sensational telegraphic dispatches on 
the eve of the election. Believe none of them unless they are well accredited. This 
will be the most important election ever held in Tennessee. Be sure that you come 
out to the polls — get your neighbors out and do your duty as becomes Tennesseans and 
patriots. Very respectfully, Cave Johnson, 

J. E. Bailey, 
John F. House. 



•5 

ADDRESS OF THE SOUTHERN RIGHTS COMMITTEE. 

Fellow (.'itizens — It having been determined by those whom we represent not 
to run candidates for the Convention in this county or this Senatorial District, we deem 
it our duty, to prevent misrepresentations and misapprehensions, to comply with the 
wishes of those who appointed us their committee, to publish an address to the people. 
The present crisis demands a deliberate and dispassionate consideration. Prejudice 
should be discarded, if prejudice e.xist; passion should be allayed, rather than inflamed, 
and the clear lines of mental determination mark the boundaries of our political posi- 
tion. Let no man deceive himself into the belief that he is a patriot who is willing to 
give up our constitutional form of government without an honest and earnest effort to 
preserve it; let no man deceive himself into the belief that he is a patriot who is willing 
to save it at the e.vpense of the constitutional rights of the people, whose government 
it is. There are but few, if any of us, who will not admit that the Constitution of the 
Ihiited States, if faithfully executed, sufficiently guards and protects the life, liberty 
and property of the citizen. The fault, then, is not in the law, but in the non- 
observance of the law ; no complaint is made of the covenant, but of the covenant 
broken. 

That there has existed, heretofore, as well as at the present time, lawless citizens 
in ours, as in every other nation, no one will deny ; but when this description of citizens 
increases to such an extent in numbers, and so band themselves together as to become 
the ruling power in the government, no good citizen can stand idly by and permit the 
usurpation of his rights or suffer the mis-rule which must necessarily follow. While it 
is criminal to usurp the liberties of others, it is equally as criminal to submit to such 
usur]3ation. For many years past certain citizens living in the Northern States have 
felt it to be their religious duty to give lessons to their less conscientious brethren of 
the South, in regard to what they choose to denominate the barbarisms of slavery. A 
false priesthood has been invoked to teach it from their pulpits, and the arts of the 
cunning demagogue knew but too well how to direct and fashion the fanaticism excited 
by such teachings. The friends of the Union and the Constitution resisted their efforts 
with a firmness and courage which ent'tles them to the gratitude of every true lover of 
his country; but these efforts, noble as they were, were fruitless. State after State was 
wrested from their hands, until finding their strength sufficient for the contest, under 
the spacious name of Republicans, they entered the field in a national race. No one 
doubted, then, that if they were successful, the disruption of the government would 
inevitably follow; but the patriotism of the country triumphed, though even then this 
party carried a large majority of the pfflplc of the Northern States. It was hoped that 
this defeat would disorganize the party; that the majorities who had followed their lead 
would turn away from them forever, and the heat engendered by party strife passing 
away, their minds would cool down to a state of rationality that they would cease their 
aggressive war, and the peaceful era of the sober second thought bless the land. The 
facts proved these hopes to have been fallacious. Their aggressions increased, their 
malignant fanaticism seemed to intensify. In every State in which they had power they 



i6 
did not hesitate to use the State authority in open violation of the Constitution in nuli- 
fying the Federal laws, and in virtually legalizing and protecting the stealing of the 
property of people of their sister States, while their public speeches and the intem])erate 
course of their journals excited some of their people to violence at home and incendiary 
missions abroad. 

So long as the Federal Clovernment remained in the hands of the friends of the 
Constitution, the people of the Southern States felt these aggressions might be borne, 
and though smarting under a sense of the injustice done them, their loyalty to the 
government of their fathers induced them still longer to await a sense of returning jus- 
tice, the sober second thought of the people of the North. Have they not waited in 
vain ? The sober second thought of the dominant majority of the Northern peoijle, for 
which we have waited since the Presidential race of 1S56, has filled the halls of Con- 
gress with the enemies of the Constitution and the LTnion. Upon issues precisely 
similar the people of the Northern States were called upon to vote in November of last 
year, and the • sober second thought ' — their returning sense of justice — has resulted 
in the election of a sectional President, upon a platform of principles avowedly hostile 
to the interest of the Southern people. Under these repeated denials of justice, under 
these repeated violations of the bonds of the Union, and that too, not alone by the 
politicians, but by a dominant majority of the people of the Northern States, is it a 
matter of surprise that the enduring patience of the South has be^n almost exhausted? 
It is a matter of surprise, that, standing upon the high ground of Constitutional right, 
they now demand further guarantees of peace and security ? It is not contended that 
the mere election of Abraham Lincoln, is a cause for this or any other action on our 
part. It is no more so than the election of any other man would be. But the inaugu- 
ration of his policy — of the principles on which he avows his purpose to conduct the 
government, backed by a sufficient majority in Congress to pass these pinciples into 
laws, is not only good cause, but in our estimation, makes it the imperative duty of 
our people to demand further Constitutional guarantees. 

Since the meeting of the present Congress, many propositions have been made for 
peace ; they have been met by contemptuous silence, or disdainful refusal. \Miile the 
question was before the Senate's Committee, the Senators representing Georgia and 
Mississippi — Toombs and Davis — declared that it a majority of the Black Republicans 
would vote for the Crittenden proposition, it would satisfy their people. But with the 
facts before them, that State after State was withdrawing from the Confederacy, that 
the commercial prosperity of the whole nation was almost wrecked, not an individual 
member of their party would vote for that peace measure. But it is said that they do 
not rightly represent their constituency. The very issues involved in the Crittenden 
propositions was submitted to a vote of the Northern people in 1856, and they voted 
overwhelmingly against them. They were submitted at their State and Congressional 
elections twice, from 1856 to i860, and lastly in the Presidential election of i860; the 
result was the same — an overwhelming majority of the people of the North voted against 
them. The President elect has not designed to open his lips, when a word in the right 



17 
direction would quell the storm, and give us peace. His only act is the selection of a 
premier for his cabinet, and in that act he has positively declared his purpose to carry 
out the party platform upon which he was elected. The name of W. H. Seward is 
.synonimoiis in the minds of every man who loves the Constitution, with political 
treachery, hostility to the South, and a total disregard and denial of every constitutional 
obligation. 

With equal justice it may be said of him that, for persistent effort, for cool and 
energetic purpose, for profound cunning, for thorough knowledge of the human pas- 
sions, coupled with the power to govern and direct them to suit his own ambitious 
purposes, he has no equal among the public men of his day. The great object of his 
life has been, and is, the destruction of the institution of slavery. Cloaking his deign 
under the soft verbage of morality, he has slowly but steadily brought a majority of the 
people of his section to his own stand point, and unless the aroused manhood of our 
people shall stay the steps of his usurpation, it needs no prophet to foretel its speedy 
doom. In a recent speech in the Senate of the United States, he has placed himself in 
an attitude just sufficiently conciliating to leave it a matter of doubt as to which side 
he will ultimately fall. In one breath he utters words of eloquent praise and devotion 
to the Un'on; in another, he denies to the Southern people the right to an equal par- 
ticipation in the Territories — he admits that we are entitled to a return of our bondmen, 
but demands that we admit the citizenship of free negroes, and crowns his mighty effort 
at pacification by deigning to propose an amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting 
Congress from abolishing slavery in the States where it now e.xists. This speech, when 
carefully analyzed, when carefully considered, is but an artful and cunning effort to 
disunite and distract the Southern people. It means this or it means nothing, and the 
author of it never made a speech in his life that he did not have a purpose in doin^ so. 
A short time after the election of Lincoln, when his followers, witnessing the first 
indignation of our people, seemed for a moment to falter, he told them to stand to their 
position, that the storm would pass away in sixty days, that the dissention among the 
people of the Southern States would do the work for them ; and doubtless, like all other 
false Prophets, has been, and .is now, striving to bring about a fulfillment of his proph- 
ecy. Witness the efforts that are being made to "divide and conquer." Day after 
day we hear and read, from Southern journals and from Southern men, that the seced- 
ing States desire a monarchical form of government, while in every case they recom- 
mend a reconstruction of their Confederacy upon the basis of the Constitution of the 
United States ; that they desire to restrict the right of suffrage, while in every case it is 
as free as our own ; that they desire opening the African slave trade, while in fact the 
State of Georgia has, since her secession, made it a penitentiary offense, and South 
Carolina has instructed her delegates to the Convention of the seceding States (to 
assemble on Monday next, at Montgomery, Ala., to form a government for their new 
Confederation), to place a clause in their Constitution forever prohil)iting it. These 
are but a few of the groundless charges which are now in circulation, tending, and 
doubtless designed, to create divisions and dissentions among the Southern States. 



Mr. Steward knows that If the present popular sentiment of the middle slave States 
against coercion cannot be changed, it would be idle for him to attempt to subjugate 
the seceding States with his Black Republican cohorts. To do this he has already 
prepared the minds of his ow-n section; witness the action of the Legislature of New 
York, of Pennsylvania, of Maine, of Massachusetts, of Ohio, of New Hampshire — all 
of whoiTi have organized their militia, voted men and money and tendered both to the 
General Government with the avowed purpose of " whipping in " the seditious citizens 
of the seceding States. And if by the use of the power and patronage of the Govern- 
ment, if by the exercise of any of the cunning political maneuvers of which he is so 
complete a master, he can engender jealousies and anamosities between the middle 
slave States and those which have seceded — having divided, he may conquer, but a 
united South, with fraternity of feeling, with similarity of interest, could defy the 
" world in arms." 

In the same speech from which we have quoted above, Mr. Steward in kind con- 
.sideration for our interests, expresses a willingness, "after the secession excitemernt is 
over, in one, two, or it may be three years," to let us have conventions of the States, 
upon Constitutional amendments and guarantees. Mark his terms, ''after this seces- 
.sion excitement is over." We had supposed that the object of Constitutional guarantees 
was to quiet if possible, this secession excitement. Does Mr. Seward propose to quiet 
it in any other way? If he could divide the South he could quiet it with the sword, 
and by holding out delusive hopes of concessions to the middle slave States, he expects 
to induce them to disunite themselves in action and in sympathy, from their Southern 
brothers. He knows that in a few weeks the seceding States will have formed a Gov- 
ernment of their own — that then national honor will compel them to take, by force of 
arms if necessary, the forts in these Territories. About this time he will be installed 
into office, this conflict will be his pretext, and while he holds out to the middle slave 
States the delusive hope of concession, he will use the purse and the sword of the 
Government to subjugate those who are struggling to maintain out of the Union, those 
very rights which we say unless we can obtain, in — we too will have out of the Union. 
The difference between us is not so much as may be supposed — they having no hope 
of their rights in the Union, have withdrawn. .All admit that the Union as it is will 
not do, that without further Constitutional guarantees it is unwise for Tennessee to 
remain in a Union already broken and dismembered. 

Those who have gone, say that we have witnessed the immense majorities at the 
North, when the issues you now propose was submitted to them in 1856; the .same in 
the State and Congressional elections intervening, and in the Presidential election of 
i860, the result was the same and the issues before the people the same. They have 
had four years for cool, dispassionate reflection, and no sense of returning justice has 
been evinced. They believe that a large majority of the Northern States have deter- 
mined to administer a common government which should protect alike the property of 
all the citizens to the detriment and final destruction of the property of the people of 
one section. They tell us that if we obtain the Constitutional guarantees which we say 



19 
we must have, or we too will withdraw, that we must get the concurring vote of three- 
fourths of the States. The Federal Government, until it acknowledges the independ- 
ence of the seceding States, must count them as a part of the government in the 
enumeration of States; but these States being, as they claim, independent governments, 
will not vote on any question relating to'any government but their own. Thus it will 
require all but one of the remaining States to vote in favor of the proposition in order 
to effect its adoption, and this unanimity of sentiment, when but recently the votes 
show a unanimity of sentiment just the other way, it is vain and idle to expect. We 
trust, fellow citizens, that we may be mistaken, but we fear the golden moment has 
passed, and that there is no well founded hope for the adjustment of this question. We 
would gladly see it accomplished, and would hail with plaudits the man or tiie measure 
by whose instrumentality the government of our fathers could be preserved. The 
Southern people have eagerly sought to adjust it. They have been seconded by a noble 
band of patriots at the North, but all efforts have been fruitless, and unless something 
can be done by the present Congress, or there is some movement of the people of the 
North in that direction, we believe that further delay would be unwise and unbecoming 
a brave and free people. .\re we to be kept in this state of sus]jense, determined not 
to remain in a government without further Constitutional guarantees, and not knowing 
whether we can have them or not, for three long years? In case of responsive action 
on the part of the people of the North, we are willing to wait any reasonable time; but 
in the absence of this, are we to permit our governmental affairs to remain in an almost 
revolutionary condition, our pecuniary and commercial matters in a state of derange- 
ment and uncertainty which will inevitably result in an almost universal bankruptcy, 
for three long years, before we dare take our stand along with those whose interest 
is ours, whose institutions are ours, and whose social and religious systems are ours? 
ISut if the whole South is united, the danger of collision with the Federal Government 
is greatly lessened. If disunited, we believe it is inevitable. That an effort to coerce 
the seceding States, is the settled determination and policy of the incoming administra- 
tion, we do not doubt. Not a member of their party who has spoken out, from the 
highest to the lowest, who has not avowed it ; 'tis true that some of them say they don't 
mean to coerce the States, but they must retake the forts and collect the revenues 
at the ports of the seceding States — but a plausible way of e.\pressing the same idea. 
The Legislatures of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maine, Ohio, and New 
Hampshire, have all proclaimed the policy and offered men and money to aid the 
bloody work. We trust no such effort will be made, but if it is, we doubt not our peo- ' 
[jle will be at home and ready to extend to their guests the amusement they seek. With 
a united South, no such effort would be made. Even the veriest fanatics will see its 
folly and madnefss, and as long as there is no shedding of blood, there is a hope for a 
peaceful solution of the question, either in a reconstruction or a peaceful separation. 
We have thus, fellow-citizens, in obedience to a resolution passed in a meeting of a 
portion of the people of the county, presented you our views on this subject. We 
hope that you will ponder the subject, not for any merit that we claim for this review 



of it, hut tor its own great and momentous importance. None will rejoice more heartily 
than we at a preservation of our Federal Union ; none more cheerfully bear the conse- 
quence of its disruption, if that be necessary to obtain our Constitutional rights. 

D. N. Kennedy, 
R. F. Ferguson, 
Dr. Jame.s Bowi,in(;, 
George D. Martin, 
W. A. Quarles, 
From till- L'hrouiili- of I'liiriuiiy \~,th. Committee. 

The result of the vote on the question of "Convention" or "no Convention" in 
this State shows an overwhelming Union majority — that is, an overwhelming majority 
against immediate secession. It was generally believed about here, and indeed 
throughout this division of the State, that the \o\<i for a convention would prevail, and 
that the Union sentiment would be shown in the character of the delegates chosen for 
it ; but the result shows that, while the jjcople voted almost uniformly for Union dele- 
gates, they at the same time voted in a large majority against any convention at all. 
Whether it would have been better to have held a convention or not we are not com- 
])etent to decide. It is said by some that the vote against a convention was the result 
of a change of tactics by the secessionists : that despairing of electing their men as del- 
egates, they determined to defeat the convention in the hope of throwing the matter 
into another e.xtra session of the Legislature. We, however, do not believe that this is 
true. The secession men may have voted against the convention with the \ iew sug- 
gested, but we do not believe that this vote controlled the result. We believe that the 
Union men regarded a convention at this time as unnecessary and dangerous, and 
therefore voted against it and defeated it. We know that many of them looked upon 
a convention as but a means to immediate secession. 



If the speech of Lincoln at Indianaijolis means anxthing, his policy will be the re- 
capture of the Southern forts and the forcible collection of revenue. If he is going to 
do these things, there is no use for any compromise, because no settlement can survive 
an attack upon the forts held by the Gulf States. K sectional President backed by 
free States which have led off in a violation of the Constitution and nullification of a 
law of Congress, have no right to coerce, and the attempt will at once unite the whole 
South, and submission will follow only when extermination is complete. Tennessee, 
in voting against a convention, voted for time ; but let coercion be attempted, and her 
volunteers will be minute men and on the march whilst steps are being taken for seces- 
sion. Lincoln may as well understand this at once. The border States can not and 
will not stay in the L^nion on any terms unless the seceded States are allowed to go in 
peace. 

From the Chronicle of February 22nd. 

Who and what is .\be Lincoln, that the eyes of thirty-three millions of people 
should be fixed upon him, and their ex|)ectations on tiii-toe for the utterances that may 



fall from his lips? He is a soulless and brainless demagogue, and every word he has 
spoken since he left home confirms "the soft impeachment." We have never read 
speeches so utterly devoid of |)atriotisni and common sense — so destitute of meaning. 
A |)itiful attempt at humor is barely perceptible, and considering the gloomy aspect of 
national affairs, he may justly be likened to Nero fiddling whilst Rome was burning. 
If he be an honest man, actuated by patriotic impulses, he must be a consummate fool ; 
and if he be a man of talents, then he is a consummate knave. The patriot and 
statesman combined he cannot be, or he would, ere this, have given peace to the 
country at the trifling sacrifice of a fanatical dogma that finds no sanction in the Con- 
stitution and has been sternly repudiated by the Supreme Court. Should a future 
(Jibbon undertake to trace the decline and fall of this Republic, he need not draw 
upon his fancy for a single fact — the foot-prints of its downward career will remove 
every apology for conjecture or metaphysical speculation. A people blinded by party 
zeal and obedient to the party lash wielded by ambitious and unscrupulous demagogues 
tell the whole melancholy tale. In the beginning, the people were honest, patriotic, 
vigilant of their rights and liberties, and the government grew rapidly in fame and 
strength and prosperity; but, by degrees — not slow — corruption supplanted virtue, 
demagogues coveted the patronage of the Executive Chair, and the successors of a 
Washington and a Madison became the mere tools of party leaders, and that they 
might be the more pliant, they were dragged out from an obscurity well befitting their 
humble talents and still more humble services. This progress from bad to worse has 
gone forward with a constantly accellerating pace, and the history of the Republic 
closes with the foully corrupt administration of James Buchanan. On the 4th of March 
a Nero succeeds a Claudius — the curtain rises upon a sundered Union, and the future 
of this once glorious nation hangs upon the dictum of a man hitherto as unknown to 
fame as he is unworthy of its laurels. Thirty-three millions of people gazing in stupid 
wonder at their tottering government, and waiting for one man — Abe Lincoln — to say 
whether it shall go down in blood or in the peaceful death of a wornout organization, 
is a spectacle at which the world may well stand aghast. If such is to be the fate of a 
free government — the madness of a people boasting of their freedom, virtue and intel- 
ligence, it were better that our experiment had never been tried, because its failure 
must tend to extinguish the last hope of the political philanthropist, and to tighten the 
bonds which will fetter every effort at progress towards the amelioration of the 
masses. 

From the Chronicle of March \st. 
Our Legislature, at the late extra session, revived the old militia laws of Tennessee 
and ordered a reorganization of all the regimgnts in the State. There are two regi- 
ments in this county — the Ninety-First and Ninety-Second — the former being embraced 
in the territory on this side of the Cumberland river, and the latter in that on the 
other side. For each of these regiments there are to be elected a Colonel, a Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel, and First and Second Majors. The election is to be held on the 4th of 
March — the day on which the election of Circuit Judge is also to be held. Our city 



has already furnished candidates for each of the ofifiies in the regiment to which it be- 
longs, to-wit : For Colonel, Frank S. Beaumont; for Lieutenant-Colonel, J. S. Neb- 
lett; for First Major, David P. Hadden ; for Second Major, J. A. Waggener. Of 
course these gentlemen all know the dire evils of war, and if they choose to leave their 
wives and children and go a-sojerin', it's their own lookout. Only one of them, 
though, has a wife, so it ain't so bad after ail ; and we can with a clear conscience ad- 
vise the sovereigns to elect them. 



We, the undersigned subscriber, your most obedient servant, ex-Ranger of Mont- 
gomery county, and one of the local editors of the Chronicle, beg to announce to the 
brave soldiers of the Ninety-First Regiment of Tennessee militia that we are a candi- 
date for the distinguished position of Lieutenant-Colonel of said regiment. 

We announce ourselves such at the request of several of the "first families," 
whose honorable solicitations we take as a flattering recognition of our military genius ; 
and holding, as we do, to the sentiment that, in times like these, every man — particu- 
larly military geniuses — is the property of his country, we do not feel that we have any 
right to disregard the call that has been made upon us. We know, too, that our an- 
nouncement will give peace and quiet to the hitherto disturbed slumbers of our people, 
and bring assurance of safety to those who, for months past, have lived in dread fear 
of the invasion of our firesides, and the desecration of our home-altars by the Black 
Republican hordes of the North 1 No more, now, need such fears disturb our people. 
Insane, indeed, would be the temerity of any set of fellows who would set hostile foot 
on this dirt, when they know that we are Lieutenant-Colonel of the bloody Ninety- 
First. They ain't a-goin' to do it! No, sir; nary tiinc '. Lincoln knows US; and, 
ah ! the dread perturbations of that miserable man's day-visions aiid night-dreams when 
he shall learn that we are running for Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninety-First! "Far' 
well," will he then say to Missis Lincoln, "to all my cherished dreams of taking forts, 
and collecting Southern custome ! " Scott knows LLS ! Before the prestige of our 
name, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninety-First, the fame of his puny deeds at 'Vera 
Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Molino del Rey, and the City of Mexico, will "pale their in- 
effectual fires" like the stern lamps of a lightnin'-bug, in the splendors of meridien day- 
beams ! (Note. — I beg leave to call the attention of the regiment to that beautiful 
figger of speech ! Your Lieutenant-Colonel is mighty hard to beat in figgers of speech, 
but his figgers of speech ain't a patchin' to his military figgers!) 

Fellow-soldiers and fellow-citizens! Our qualifications for the dangerous post we 
seek are prodigious, but it is not necessary to detail them. Do not then commit the 
fatal error of supposing, from one miserable failure in our midst, that no printer can 
possess military genius, nor any editor make a good Colonel. The case alluded to is 
an exceptional one. It was a case of extreme executive favoriteism, meant as an ex- 
periment in time of peace ; and one of those appointments that are made to convince 
the world that "Me Empire is peace ! " The Governor, however, could not foresee the 
turn that events have taken. As things now stand that appointment, harmless as it 



23 

first appeared, comes fully up to the standard of Democratic blunders. Has that 
Colonel done his duty ? Has he borne out the military fame of our State ? As Lin- 
coln would say, "I'm just asking a few questions, and don't want to bring on hostilities 
with the Colonel in question, yet if he should get his back up, and want satisfaction, 
we would say to him that we can be found at our sanctum every day, and that Hadden 
and Withers have on hand a lot of short, crooked coffins. No ! soldiers of the Ninety- 
First, that Colonel has not done his duty. Had he been animated by a spirit worthy 
of the age. lie would, when he heard of Scott's having a big muster at Washington, 
have gone down to Bratton's slaughter house and got him to cover him over with 
blood, and with this added to his naturally alarming face, would have gone to Wash- 
ington and presented himself to Scott and Lincoln that they might behold in the bloody 
figger before them a representation of Southern chivalry and the champion of Southern 
rights I Had he done so, old Abe would have gathered up his feet and laid down like 
one skeered to death, and old Luss and Feathers would have emigrated to Canada ! 

And now, fellow-soldiers, if you will allow me to say a word about myself, I will 
tell you that if elected to the proud position I seek, no foreign foe shall ever pollute 
our soil with their tread. I will turn from the "art preservative" to the art destruc- 
tive ; abandon the pursuit of fame in the peaceful walks of letters, and amid the din of 
war and the loud alarum of battle, 

"Will seek the bubble reputation 
Even in the cannon's mouth," 
should Lincoln's hordes or any other foe ever wage battle with us or assail the integrity 
of our glorious Southern Republic ! 

Fellow-soldiers, this momentous election comes off on the 9th of March — the same 
day on which the election of Circuit Judge is to be held — and while you may neglect 
or forget the latter as of little consequence, do not, my countrymen, forget the militia 
election, but go to the milita.ry polls dX all hazards. I shall be there with a bag of cakes 
and a jug of cider to see that every free man is protected in the exercise of his right to 
vote early, vote often, and KEEP ON A-VOTIN' ! 

With the highest regird, fellow-citizens, for yourselves, your families, your kin, 
direct and remote, consanguine and collateral — and with feelings of lively and abiding 
interest in your present and future welfare, I am your most humble and obedient ser- 
vant, J. S. Neblett. 
From the Cliroiiicle of March 9,th. 

Lincoln's inaugural amounts to nothing more nor less than a declaration of war 
against the seceded States. He declares his purpose to hold, possess and defend the 
property seized by those States, and to enforce the laws within their borders, and, when 
making this declaration, he well knows that his efforts will be resisted, and that war 
must follow. Yet, as a salve to his own demon conscience, and that of the fanatic 
party of which he is the organ, he cooly remarks that there need be no blood shed, and 
all that is necessary to prevent it is the ready submission of the Gulf States to his 
mighty will. We have hoped, to the last moment, that, if there could be no satisfac- 



24 

torv adjustment, wisdom and humanity would so far prevail as to allow the seceded 
States to go in peace; but that hope has fled, and the awful crisis which sectional 
fanaticism has forced upon the country demands of the i)eople of Tennessee a ])rompt 
decision of the question which grows out of it. Will they aid Lincoln in his efforts to 
subdue the Gulf States? or will they remain neutral? or will they go to the assistance 
of their sister slave States? These are the questions to be decided — there is no evad- 
ing them, for as sure as Lincoln attempts to execute his threat, war will ine\itably 
follow. 

But, like Shylock, Lincoln has an oath in Heaven, and he must execute the laws. 
Does that oath assert that a State has not the right to secede? Does it declare that the 
(ailf States are not out of the Union? If neither his oath nor the Constitution affirms 
these things, may it not just be possible that seven States embrace as much wisdom as 
lurks within his skull? These States claim that they have the right to secede from a 
Union into which they voluntarily entered, and he denies it. What higher power has 
decided the question in his favor ? None. It is still unsettled, and the construction 
which he gives to his oath is an assumption which can, by no possibility, justify a re 
course to civil war as the arbiter of the mooted point. But conceding, as we do, the 
abstract right of a government to enforce its laws, are there no considerations, in this 
case, which forbids the exercise of that right? Ours is a government that guarantees 
e(|ual rights to all the States, and had that ecpiality never been violated, this crisis had 
never come upon us — and who has violated it? From the formation of the ■(;ovc'rn- 
ment down to the period when anti-slavery fanaticism reared its hydra-head in our 
midst, the Territories were considered the common property of all the States, and the 
rights of the citizens of each, to those Territories, were undisputed ; but now the part}- 
in power denies to the people of the South the right to carry their property into the 
Territories and to claim for it the protection to which it is entitled under the Constitu- 
tion and laws. The Constitution and laws guarantee to the Southern man the right to 
reclaim his fugitive slave ; but this right is not only practically denied by the fanatics of 
the North, but a majority of the Northern States have actually enacted laws denying 
this right, and have done so in wilful violation of the Constitution, and the laws of 
Congress. 

Is there no grievance in these things demanding redress by Constitutional or other 
means? The Constitutional means have been tried and have failed, and some of the 
aggrieved States have withdrawn from a Union in which justice and equality have been 
denied them by a ])arty accidentally in the ascendant. Nor is this all. To these 
grievances insult has been added. The North, availing itself of its numerical strength, 
has inaugurated a sectional, geographical Ciovernnient, which virtually makes the South 
a province and violates the spirit of the Constitution, and further withholds that equal- 
ity which constitutes the bond of union. These are the insulting and aggressive acts 
of the North, and instead of redressing these wrongs when earnestly appealed to, it 
tells the South that it shall have no remedy which the Constitution can apply, and shall 
seek no other exce]3t at the cannon's mouth. Is there nothing in all this to palliate the 



-5 
conduct of the Gulf States, or to forbid coercion by the wrong-doer? There is enough 
in it to deter the patriot and statesman from appealing to the arbitrament of the sword, 
however little it may influence the demon spirit ol the narrow-minded bigot and 
partizan. 

It is not our purpose to argue the question of abstract right involved in the issues 
between the North and the South — the time for that has passed, and we have, time and 
again, condemned the conduct of both extremes. ISut we do contend that, in every 
view of the case, we can tind no justification for the resort to force which is contem- 
|)lated by the Administration, and honestly believe that such a course can have no other 
eftect than to unite the whole South in armed resistance. When the war is once begun, 
Tennessee must furnish her quota of troo])s of the Northern arnn , ujion the demand of 
the President, or, by a refusal, make herself a party to the so-called rebellion. This is 
a practical question that must be decided without any reference to the right or wrong 
that gave rise to it. The spirit which can prompt an effort at coercion, under the cir- 
cumstances, will also suggest that the loyalty of the border States be tested by calling 
out their militia to subjugate the Gulf States; and in view of such a state of thini's, it is 
at least legitimate to ask the people of Tennessee what they will do? In case of a 
peaceable secession, we can readily suppose that the border States, distrusting the 
Southern Confederacy, might prefer to maintain their present status in the Union hop- 
ing for additional guarantees of their rights; but should war be waged upon the seceded 
States, we confess our inability to see how the former can avoid an alliance, offensive 
and defensive, with the latter. And as there can be no neutrality in such a strun-gle, 
the question again reciu-s: "What will the people of Tennessee do?" Our position 
from the beginning, was an honorable and final settlement or secession, and that 
attempted coercion would amount to the same thing. We have seen nothing to chani'e 
but much to confirm that position. 

From the Chronicle of April i<)th. 

SOUTHERN RIGHTS MEETING. 

.\t a regular meeting of the Southern Rights Association, on Saturday, the Mst 
inst. , a committee was apjjointed to call on the Hon. J. C. Guild, of Sumner county 
and the Hon. G. A. Henry, of this place, and re(iuest them to address the association 
some night the following week — the selection of the evening discretionary with them. 
This evening (Tuesday, .\]iril i6th) was selected. .\t an early hour the Court House 
at which the association was to meet, was crowded to overflowing with not only the 
( itizens of the city but from all portions of the county. The President of the associa- 
tion, Mr. I). N. Kennedy, on taking the Chair, stated that the meeting had been an- 
nounced for that evening several days previous, but that the momentous events 
occurring in even those few days had so completely united all parties who had hereto- 
fore differed in regard to the policy that ought to be pursued by our State, and bands 
us together as brothers for the defence of our own and sister Southern States against 
Lincoln's Abolition hordes — the intense enthusiasm that pervaded the immense crowd 



and the common destiny that awaits us all either to cringingly submit to the tyrant's 
will, or shoulder to shoulder to override the despot and tread him beneath the feet of 
unconquerable freemen — admonished him that the call of the association had become a 
great mass-meeting of the freemen of Montgomery county who were ready to resist op- 
position from whatsoever source it might come. He then announced the meeting as 
ready to hear the resolutions that had been prepared by a committee appointed at the 
preliminary meeting. Col. Wm. A. Quarles presented the following resolutions: 

"Whereas, The Abolition Government at Washington City, in violation of the 
Constitution, has inaugurated a sectional warfare against the Southern States, the ob- 
ject being their subjugation, with a view to rule them as conquered provinces, and by 
proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand men to aid in this wicked and treason- 
able design, has insulted the people of the sovereignty of the State of Tennessee, in 
asking Tennesseans to make war ujion those with whom they are identified in interest 
and blood, in sustaining this unholy usurpation of i)ower. We, the people of Mont- 
gomery county, regard this action of the government as not only threatening the 
liberties of the whole country, but as the final step taken towards the dissolution of the 
union of these States, and determined as we are to resist the oppressions of the usurpers 
by an appeal to arms, 

'•Resolved, That Tennessee should at once withdraw from the Union and unite 
lier fortune and destiny with the Confederate States, and instead of sending troops to 
aid the usurpers, march to the defense of the South. 

'•Resolved, That the government be requested to convene the Legislature, with a 
view to arming the State and enacting such laws as may be necessary to declare Ten- 
nessee out of the Federal Government and unite her with the Southern Confederacy. 

"■Resolved, That there is no time now for co-operation with the border slave States; 
that each State should act for itself in immediately withdrawing its allegiance from a 
government of usurpation and tyranny, as the only means of preserving peace and giv- 
ing security to the South. 

" Having thus determined to withdraw our allegiance to the Federal Government, 
we Resolve, That we will not elect representatives in the Congress of the United 
States, but will send them to the Congress of the Confederate States at Montgomery, 
Alabama, and that our representatives in the Senatorial branch of the Federal Congress 
be, and they are hereby requested to resign." 

The Hon. J. C. Guild then addressed the immense crowd in one of the most 
stirring, telling and effective speeches, of about two hours, that ever was made in the 
city of Clarksville. He was followed by Major Henry, and notwithstanding the late- 
ness of the hour, he so completely enchained the attention of every one present for an 
hour and a half, that at times you could have heard a pin drop, and then the pent-up 
enthusiasm, hushed by his burning eloquence, would again burst forth, and curses, deep, 
loud and long, were hissed through the teeth of outraged freemen against the tyrant that 
would drench the country in the blood of its own citizens. On motion, the resolutions 
l)resented by Col. Quarles were unanimously adopted. 



27 

On motion, a committee composed of the following gentlemen, W. A. Quarles, J. 
E. Bailey, G. A. Henry, J. F. House and G. I). Martin, were appointed a committee 
to go to Nashville to-morrow and carry the petition signed by five or six hundred citi- 
zens to-day, for an immediate call of the Legislature by the Governor, to take the 
necessary steps to relieve the State from all allegiance to the Washington Government 
at once. On motion the President, Mr. I). N. Kennedy, was added to this committee, 
and the committee instructed to urge with all the influence they could bring to bear 
the Governor to immediately take this step. On motion, the following gentlemen were 
aiipointed a corresponding committee to get up information that may he necessary at 
different times for the necessary enlightenment of the people in regard to the dangers 
that surround us, and to call meetings whenever necessary : W. A. Quarles, G. A. 
Henry, J. E. Bailey, G. A. Harrell and R. F. Ferguson. 

At this time it was announced that the Louisville /c/z/v/a/, just received, was ad- 
vocating neutrality on the jjart of the liorder States, or to hold still and fold our hands 
and be calm spectators of the butchery of our Southern brethren. This announcement 
was received with curses upon a traitor who could be so recreant to every feeling of 
honor — neutrality was assistance to our enemies, and he that was not with us was against 
us. It being near midnight on motion the meeting adjourned, but the crowd left re- 
luctantly. D. N. KENNEDY, President. 

Wm. T. Dortch, Secretary. 



THE WAR NEW,S. 

The news of the attack upon Fort Sumter by the forces of the Confederate States, 
and the subsequent surrender of that fortress, produced in this community an excite- 
ment never before equalled by any event in the experience of this generation. The 
first announcement of hostilities was succeeded by a very short period of doubt as to 
its truth ; but this doubt was soon dispelled, and a feeling of intense anxiety as to the 
issue of the conflict then followed — every heart beating with one hope and one pra}'er, 
and that, of course, for the success of the Confederate forces. Suspense as to the 
issue did not last long ; and when the news that Sumter had fallen — that the gallant 
men of the South had triumphed — was announced, one single feeling of jubilant exult- 
ation animated every heart, and inspired every tongue ! The wildest enthusiasm per- 
vaded the entire community ; and every class and condition, every age and sex, united 
in glorification of the event. If there was a single individual in this community who 
did not rejoice at it, he was not known; if a single voice, other than that of exultation 
it was not heard. Whatever differences of opinion may have existed heretofore, there 
were none 71010 ,' and but one single heart seemed to animate the entire town, and that 
heart to throb under one single impulse of patriotic exultation ! 

On Tuesday morning a public meeting was held at the Court House, at which 
Hon. James M. Quarles, Alfred Robb, J. E. Bailey, Col. Wm. A. Quarles, John F. 
House and others of this city, and Dr. James F. Wheeler, of Christian county. Ken- 



28 

tiK:ky, all addrt^Nsed the assemblage — announcing again the glaii tidings of the triumph 
of Southern arms, and appealing to the Tennesseans to lock their shields in this con- 
test, and present one unbroken front in the defense and maintenance of Southern rights 
and Southern honor! Oh! It ivas a ;^lorwus time '. Every word uttered there breathed 
devotion to the South and unqualified defiance to the detestable government that seeks 
to force the gallant States of the Gulf into sulMiiission to Black Re]jublican rule. Not 
a single word, or intimation of a hope, or a desire of compromise, reconstruction, re- 
luiion, or anything else akin to tellowship with the North I The unanimous sentiment 
of the assemblage at the Court House, and of the entire community of Clarksville, was 
and is for an immediate and unconditional alliance of Tennessee with the Southern 
Confederacy, and an unqualified dedication of her men and her money to the defense 
and support of that Confederacy, now and forever. All day Tuesday the enthusiasm 
that we have attempted to picture here was kept up ; and, as it had been aniiounced 
that Major G. A. Henry and Chancellor Jo C. Guild would speak at the Court House 
that night, a large crowd assembled there about 8 o'clock to hear them. We may 
mention here that before assembling at the Court House a number of citizens, headed 
by martial music and bearing the flag of the Southern Confederacy, had marched 
through the principal streets, awakening intense feeling wherever they went. This was 
the first open display of the Southern flag in Clarksville, and the feeling with which it 
was greeted gave unmistakable indication of the pride and valor with which Tennesse- 
ans would bear and defend it ! 

Major Henry and Judge Guild both made fine speeches — both breathing the same 
glorious sentiments that others had in the morning, and awakening the same enthusi- 
astic resjionse from the multitude that heard them. During the day, we must not omit 
to mention, steps were taken for the immediate organization of two or three military 
companies, and hundreds of names were enrolled in a few hours. Thus passed Tues- 
day and Tuesday night. Wednesday morning mails brought Lincoln's proclamation 
and his requisition on the different States for troops to aid him in coercing the seceded 
States. We cannot begin to give a correct idea of the scorn and indignation with 
which it was received on all hands. Every man seemed to feel it as a personal efifront, 
so general and intense was the resentment against it ! Had any man been so craven as 
to e.vpress a willingness to serve under that requisition, he would, we believe, have 
been shot down or swung by the neck. During the morning the flag of the Southern 
Confederacy was unfurled from the roof of our Court House, where it still floats and 
will continue to wave ! Later in the day another similar flag was hoisted over Mc- 
Cauley & Bell's store; and others still, since then, have been boldly flung to the breeze 
in different quarters of the town. Such is a mere outlike of the events of the last two 
or three days, and a faint indication of the feelings of our people. If Lincoln and his 
Abolition hordes can glean any comfort from them they are welcome to it. The gal- 
lant States of the Gulf may rest assured that Tennessee will speedily link her destiny 
with them ; and that whatever brave hearts and strong arms may do, Tennesseans will, 
in their proud march to National independence! 



29 

Governor Harris has responded to Lincoln's requisition upon him for troops in 
language that every man, woman and child in the State will applaud and endorse. 
He tells the cold-blooded, cowardly President that Tennessee will never furnish a 
single soldier to make war upon her sister Southern States, but will pour out her troops 
by regiments and divisions for their defense. 



PROCLAMATION. 

By virtue of his office of Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninety-First Regiment of Ten- 
nessee militia, and in the temporary absence of Colonel Beaumont, the undersigned 
hereby notifies and requires all the men liable to duty in said regiment to take steps for 
immediate effective organization, and to hold themselves in readiness for active service. 
He would recommend the formation, throughout the regimental district, of Volunteer 
Gviipanies as more in keeping with the proud fame of the VOLUNTEER STATE. 
For and in hehnlf of my brother officers of the Ninety-Second, the undersigned respect- 
fully extends this order to that regiment, as well as his own. The officers of both the 
Ninety-First and the Ninety-Second are requested to assemble at Clarksville on Tues- 
day, the 23d inst. , to take such measures as devolve upon them in organizing the two 
regiments. J. S. NEBLETT, 

Lieutenant-Colonel Ninety-First Regiment Tennessee Militia. 



The work of organizing military companies here goes bravely on, and the stirring 
sjjeeches made by some of our ablest men have contributed no little to this desirable 
result. The "Southern heart has been fired," and its pulsations are all for a united 
South and unyielding resistance to that insane policy which seeks to reconstruct the 
government by force. The readiness, too, with which the Northern people respond to 
Lincoln's call for troops, tends to inspire our citizens, if possible, with a firmer purpose 
to resist wrong and aggression, and to confirm them in the belief that the Union is 
hopelessly dissolved. The companies now forming here comprise the best material, 
and should they be forced into service will give a good account of themselves. 
From ilic Chronicle of April 26t/i. 

Reports of the proceedings of the civil districts in the organization of military 
companies, have poured in upon us this week, and we regret that the sickness of our 
main compositors prevent us from publishing them. At the meeting at Tail's Station, a 
Confederate flag was presented by Miss Maggie Wilcox, and it was received by Mr. T. 
L. Yancey, who delivered a short but stirring address from the inspiring text. The 
Home Guard was filled up, principally, by the old men, and the young men are rapidly 
filling up the roll of the Cavalry Company. There's but one feeling in that district. 



It is evidently the policy of the United States of the North to crush the South at a 
single blow — hoping to take us by surprise, and believing that there is not much fight 
in the Southern people. If this be the policy and expectation, the whole South should 
be in active preparation for the avalanche of abolitionists about to be j)recipitated upon 



3° 
our soil. Let them receive a welcome warm enough to give them a fortaste of the hell 
that is yawning for them. Let not one State or individual wait for another, but each 
draw upon his own resources as far as individual effort can be made available for aggre- 
gate preparation. Every gun is a tolerable substitute for a musket, and practice with 
one is practice with the other. There is no plea for idleness, and the best use of the 
poorest means is the best test of zeal and ability, and the (juickest mode of sup])lying 
deficiences. 



The number of Confederate flags waving over our city, the animating tones of 
drum and fife, and the measured tread of soldiers, give to the town quite a martial air. 
The number of companies raised, and being raised, gives cheering evidence of the 
determined spirit which animates our citizens, and their unflinching purpose to achieve 
the independence of the South, or die in the attempt. Would to God, the same spirit 
animated the entire population of this and all the border slave States, and that no man 
could be found whose discordant cry of peace ! peace ! ! mars the harmony that should 
be unbroken bv a dissenting voice. 



Glorious old Montgomery is responding nobly to our country's call. Companies 
are being rapidly formed in every civil district, and the right spirit pervades the whole 
people. There is no divided opinion about the justice of our cause, and the duty of 
every Southern man. All are for the South and resolved to defend it at the hazard of 
life and fortune. No adherent to Lincoln contaninates, by his presence, the soil of 
Montgomery, and none such can live in the pure Southern atmosphere inhaled by its 
gallant people. Three cheers for old Montgomery!!! 



PUBLIC MEETING IN CL.ARKSVILI.E. 

In pursuance of a call, the citizens of Montgomery county assembled in mass, at 
the Court House, in Clarksville, Tenn. , April 20th, and on motion Thos. Ramey, Esq., 
was appointed President, and George J. McCauley and W. L. Hiter, Vice-Presidents; 
George H. Warfield, R. F. Ferguson, Chas. G. Smith and K. A. Rogers, Secretaries. 
Owing to the unusual crowd assembled, it was thought advisable to adjourn the meeting 
to the Public Square, and immediately the vast crowd assembled in front of the steps 
of the Bank of Tennessee. The proceedings were opened by prayer to the throne of 
the God of Battles, by the Rev. J. B. Duncan, a soldier in former days, under the 
stars and stripes. A series of resolutions were introduced by James E. Bailey, and 
advocated in a short and stirring speech, and the resolutions were adopted unanimously, 
with one loud, long, and enthusiastic "Aye," shouted from a thousand throats and 
swelling hearts. The resolutions are as follows: 

\Vhkre.as, The Abolition Government at ^^'ashington City, in violation of the 
Constitution, has inaugurated a sectional warfare against the Southern States, the 
object being their subjugation, with a view to rule them as conquered provinces, and 
by proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand men to aid in this wicked and trea- 



31 
sonable design, has insulted the people of the sovereignty of the State of Tennessee, in 
asking Tennesseans to make war upon those with whom they are identified in iiiterest 
and blood, in sustaining this unholy usurpation of power, we, the people of Mont- 
gomery county, regard this action of the Government as not only threatening the 
liberties of the whole country, but as the final step taken towards the dissolution of the 
union of these States, and determined as we are to resist the oppressions of the usurpers 
by an apjieal to arms, 

RcsokrJ, That Tennessee should at once withdraw from the Union and unite for- 
tune and destiny with the Confederate States, and instead of sending troops to aid the 
usurpers, march to the defense of the South. 

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to convene the Legislature, with a view 
to arming the State and enacting such laws as may be necessary to declare Tennessee 
out of the Federal Government, and unite her with the Southern Confederacy. 

Resohicd, That there is no time now for co-operation with the Border Slave States ; 
that each State should act for itself in immediately withdrawing its allegiance from a 
Government of usurpation and tyranny, as the only means of preserving peace and 
giving security to the South. 

Having thus determined to withdraw our allegiance to the Federal Government; 
we Resolve, That we will not elect representatives in Congress of the United States, but 
will send them to the Congress of the Confederate States at Montgomery, Ala., and 
that our representatives in the Senatorial branch of the Federal Congress be, and they 
are hereby requested to resign. 

Major Henry then addressed the crowd in burning words of eloquence. The 
Major is truly the Patrick Henry of the second war of independence. No pen can 
describe the magic influence of his soul-stirring words, voice and action. Whilst he 
was speaking, tears trickled down the cheeks of hundreds of men, both gray-headed 
and young. Eloquent speeches were made by the Hon. Jas. M. Quarles, Capt. Ed. 
Munford, of Memphis, W. A. Quarles, and N. Dudley. Dudley, in responding, said 
that he cordially and heartily endorsed the resolutions, and pledging himself to use his 
best exertions to carry them into practical effect. The Secretaries were directed to 
send a copy to the Hon. Judson Horn, as instructions to him. Several thousand dol- 
lars was subscribed for the purpose of equipping a volunteer company. The meeting 
was immense, and the sentiment of stern resistance universal. There is but one man 
in the county who is not a rebel, and he is a half a. one and goes for armed neutrality. 
Late in the afternoon the meeting adjourned. 



NF.W.S OF THE WEEK. 

Since our last issue news of stirring events in all quarters. North and South, has 
crowded rapidly upon us. The busy stir of the military preparation here at home our 
readers nearly all know; and the same state of affairs seems to exist elsewhere, through- 
out our State. U|) to our last issue but little had occurred, after the taking of Fort 
Sumter, except in the way of preparation for coming troubles. Every Southern State 



that Lincoln called on for troops, except Maryland, replied with an indignant refusal 
through its Governor. The Governor of Maryland, it was said, promised to comply 
with Lincoln's requisition, but the people took the matter out of his hands and gave a 
very different answer. For several days last week great anxiety was felt as to the course 
Maryland would pursue, and the South began to fear she would go with our enemies, 
but since then the people there have given unmistakable indications of their utter hos- 
tility to old Abe and their allegiance to the South. After the refusal of the Southern 
States to furnish troops for Lincoln, he made a further call on the free States, and they 
all responded with alacrity to the call. Some of the Massachusetts and Pennsylvania 
troops, in passing through Baltimore to Washington, were attacked by the Baltimoreans 
and put to confusion, and some of them driven back. Several men were killed on 
each side, (iovernor Hicks telegraphed Lincoln not to try to bring any more troops 
through Baltimore, and no more have gone. The railroad tracks and bridges about 
Baltimore have been torn up and destroyed.; and an attack on Fort McHenry by the 
Marylanders is looked for daily. The celebrated Seventh Regiment of New York was 
attacked by them, near Anapolis, and completely routed. They retired to Washington 
City. Virginia seceded last Thursday week, and immediately sent troops to take 
Harper's Ferry, but before they got there Lincoln's garrison in charge burned the 
armory and an immense quantity of arms and ran away. The place is now in posses- 
sion of the \'irginians, who, a few days afterwards, burned up the Portsmouth navy 
yard and three fine United States ships-of-war. In every collision, so far, the South 
has prevailed. Lincoln's forces are all concentrated at \Vashington. except one thous- 
and that were sent to Cairo last Tuesday. More were expected there. They are said 
to be put there to stop boats carrying arms for the South. General Scott has not re- 
signed, nor will he. The latest news before we go to press reports a fight at Fort 
Pickens, and its capture with terrible loss of life. Also that more fighting has occurred 
at Baltimore, and that McCullock, of Texas, was at Ale.xandria, Va. , with a large force. 
Seward refused an offer of British mediation, it is said. Reckon he prefers to siibdin- 
us! Well, '"lay on McDufT," and damn be he who frst hollers! Two regiments are 
about leaving Nashville for the Southern Confederacy. John Bell, and the Nashville 
Banner and Patriot have all come out unreser\edly for the South. Lieut. Maury has 
disappeared from Washington very mysteriously. Resignations from the United States 
army are numerous. President Davis, at last accounts, was at Montgomery. It was 
rumored that he would soon march at the head of fifty or sixty thousand men. .A. sys- 
tem of utter despotism and tyranny now exists in the Northern cities, so alarmed and 
distrustful are the Lincolnites. From all quarters of the South cheering indications 
reach us. The people everywhere are animated by a single purpose of determined 
resistance of Black Republicanism, and are confident of success. The entire South is 
arming and mustering. • Such is a brief resume of the news of the jjast week — at least 
of the leading events. A terrible collision of the hostile sections, wtj believe, is aj)- 
proaching ; the clouds are gathering for the whirlwind and the storm, but we do not 
fear the issue. May God and our strong arms defend the South, again we say I 



33 

OUR LADIES UP AND DOIN'r.. 

It was annouiiced at the various churches in the city, on last Sunday morning, 
tint there would be a meeting of the ladies at the Presbyterian Church at three o'clock 
on last Tuesday evening, for the purpose of forming an organization among themselves, 
that would he best adapted, and most effectively aid in equipping our gallant soldiers, 
who are so nobly responding to their country's call in this, her hour of peril. At three 
o'clock, the appointed time, we stepped into the church to see for oursehes, how so 
glorious a call would be res])onded to. We were not disappointed. A nobler sight 
never met the eye of man. Our ladies, young and old, were there, ready to do or 
assist their husbands, sons and fathers, defend our country and rights from the invasion 
of a dastard and cowardly foe. If the abolition hordes of the North could have but 
witnessed this scene, their cowardly hearts would shrink from an attempt at subjugation 
of the husbands, fathers, sons and brothers of such women. The meeting was organ- 
ized by calling Mrs. Robert Tompkins to the Chair. After a prayer by the Rev. W. 
I). Sawrie, the meeting proceeded to business. To systemize the organization thor- 
oughly, each lady gave in her name, residence, etc. Resolutions were passed dividing 
themselves off into smaller working committees, to make clothes and such other things 
as were needed by the soldiers; also pledging themselves to take care of the families of 
the soldiers who might need assistance during their absence. Various minor resolu- 
tions relating to the details of organization were passed. It was afterwards concluded 
best for all to meet at the large furniture wareroom of Messrs. Atkins & Bro., with 
their sewing machines, that they might work more rapidly and know what was neces- 
sary all the time. We visited them at their busy workshop, the next day, and found 
between seventy-fi\e and one hundred ladies at work on the soldier's pants, shirts, etc. 
This is the way to do things. Three cheers for the gallant ladies of our little city. The 
stormy days of our revolution never brought forth a braver band of mothers, daughters 
and sisters. 



DEFENSE OF CLARSVILLE. 

A meeting of some of our leadiiig men was held in the I )irector's room of the 
Planter's Bank, last Saturday evening, to provide means for the defense of our city, and 
in a few minutes $8,000 were subscribed by those present, most of them giving $500 
each. Three or four of them then pledged themselves to make the sum $12,000, and 
have it deposited in the Planter's Bank in ten days; whereupon the cashier authorized 
one of their number, Mr. George Stacker, to check on him at sight for that sum. 
Provided with this authority, Mr. Stacker was appointed an agent to go immediately 
to a certain city to invest the entire sum in pov^der, lead, etc., for home defence, and 
bring them here as soon as possible, ^\'e have been told that not only the additional 
sum of $4,000 was raised by the gentlemen who jiledged it, but that $4,000 more were 
added to it, making the total sum raised $16,000. This certainly shows a most com- 
mendable spirit of liberality in our moneyed men, and a determination to [jrotect Clarks- 
ville to the last. 



34 

war', war'. MdNKN' AND SUPl'LIF.S. 

All persons in this city or county, who have subscribed to the equipment and sup- 
])ly list, are requested to make jjaynient immediately. Those who have not flubscribed 
are retiuested by the necessity of the case, to come forward and do so to the utmost of 
their ability. The expenses for clothing and supplies for the hundreds that are enroll- 
ing in defense of our liberty, are very heavy and must be met. We must have money 
and that immediately. Meat, bread, uie.d aiul tlor are needed. -Patriotic farmers 
send in such supplies to the EncamjMiient at the l''air (Grounds, c.r to Clarksville. 

1>. N. Kknnkdv, 
Treasurer Military Fund. 



i.DOK our. 
^^'e deprecate mob law, and would dislike to see any individual become the object 
of an exasperated people's wrath; and we therefore repeat the advice that we gave in 
our last: If there are yet in this town, or county, any persons %vith Lincoln leanings, or 
coercion proclivities, they had better emigrate (z/ ('Wt'.' If they will venture to remain 
liere, let an hermetrical seal be upon their lips; for if they dare to breathe out Lincoln- 
ism here, their route then, will be mighty apt to lie the '• tindcrgrouniV" one sure 
'nough ! Look out ! 

From the Cltroiiicle of Max yd. 

NKWS OK THE WK.F.K. 

The [last week has been marked by much interesting intelligence from different 
quarters, but only a few actual events of any note have transpired. At home the 
ardour of our people has naturalh' lost something of its feverish excitement, but none 
of its stern determination. The community is yet as one man in their righteous pur- 
poses. The stopping of the Liillman, at Cairo, and the seizure of a large quantity of 
powder and lead belonging here and at Nashville, excited intense indignation here. 
That single act would make five thousand secessionists in Tennessee, if the uno material 
were in it. Some goods (hardware, guns, etc.) destined to a house in this city, were 
seized at Pittsburg a few days ago and stopped there. 'J'his system now obtains with 
respect to anything like arms or ammunition passing through any free State to any 
Southern State, whether seceded or not. In some places it has provoked heavy retali- 
ation. The people of Helena, Ark., liave seized the cargoes of two Cincinnati boats 
bound up from New Orleans, and also retained possession of one of the boats. An- 
other Cincinnati boat was fired into and l):nll\' ilamaged at Napoleon, Ark. Ciood for 
.\rkansas ! A regiment of Kentuckians, under Blandon Duncan, passed through 
Nashville Sunday on their way to join the Confederate army. Twenty-five hundred 
men are under arms at Nashville. Our entire State, including East Tennessee, is fully 
aroused and "all right." The Legislature (ours) has now been in extra session one 
week, but nothing is known of their proceedings, as they act in secret sessions. The 
news of the secession of Virginia was greeted all over the South with the wildest enthu- 
siasm. The Congress of the Confederate States met at Montgomery on the 29th o( 



35 
April. ^'ice-President Stephens was recently in Richmond. Troops jwured in there 
so fast that the Governor had to order them not to come. Norfolk is full, too. North 
Carolina has called out 30,000 men. Matters at Pensacola are /// statu quo, except that 
troops still accumulate there. Lincoln has called for 83,000 more of his Northern 
soup-house soldiers to aid him in dispersing the rebels. He proposes an armistice with 
Maryland for si.xty days. Baltimore is a camp of anti-Lincoln soldiers. The bitterness 
of Northern hate becomes more intense every day. The banks in New York refuse to 
sell bills on London for our banks. Everything looks encouraging and hopeful to us 
of the ."^Dulli. If we will only be united, \'igilant, determined, at the start, our inde- 
pendence will soon be achieved! 



PIRACV .\'I' CAIRO. 

It is already known to our readers that Lincoln has quartered several thousands of 
his mongrel soldiers at Cairo, and that part of their business is to stop steamboats pass- 
ing that point, overhauling their cargo and stealing whatever they want. They say 
they only take munitions of war. but we have no doubt they are just as willing to steal 
one thing as another. Lincoln has agents at St. Louis, and, we reckon, at other 
points, who advise the military at Cairo of the character of the freight taken by every 
boat leaving the former port, and 'f powder, arms, or anything of the kind is amongst 
it, they are forcibly taken from her when the l)oat reaches Cairo. Last Friday the 
steamer C. E. Hillman, Captain Corbett, when on her way from St. Louis to Nashville, 
was intercepted a few miles above Cairo by an armed steamer and conveyed to that 
point and forced to land there, and then robbed of a large quantity of powder and lead 
that she had on board. Among her freight thus seized was ten thousand dollars' worth 
of lead and powder destined for this city, and a very much larger quantity for Nash- 
ville. Of course the officers of the boat had no other alternative than either to submit 
to the armed pirates or else blow all hands up by firing the powder — so they cho.se to 
knock under. We have no comment suitable to this outrage that would look well in 
lirint. The ashes man with a leaky cart wasn't a circumstance to this case. Repent- 
ance may overtake these God-forsaken sinners, some day, whew thev arc getting some 
more 0/ our poicder ! 



VOI.UNTKERS. 

Many of the young men who have volunteered in this hour of peril to go forth 
and battle for the homes, the firesides, and the liberty of the South, are clerks, who, in 
thus doing, surrender situations on which they have been dependent for their living. 
They give them up, too, for the perils of war,^and without the hope of any gain save 
the glory they may win ; and in view of this we wish to suggest to those who have had 
these young men in their employment, that they shall let their salaries go on, as here- 
tofore, while they are in the service of their conntry as soldiers, and that whenever 
they employ other young men in their places it shall be with the understanding that it 
shall be given again to the gallant volunteer, should he return to claim it, and have 



36 

proved worthy of it. Our merchants are able to do this and we hope they will. If 
they cannot afford to continue the full salary, allow half of it, any way — to such as 
deport themselves as good soldiers, we mean, of course. We see that this has been 
done in New Orleans — the full salary continued, and the old situation with increased 
])ay promised to the worthy on their release from service — and we hope it will be done 
here. Who will lead in doing it ? 



ALL ri(;ht! 
The gallant men of Palmyra and vicinity have shown themselves among the very 
foremost to volunteer for their native State. On Wednesday morning a company of 
over si.xty men, under command of Colonel M. O. (Iholson, came up to this city and 
repaired to the encampment at the Fair Grounds, there to await their call to the field. 
They are a body of fine soldiers, and, under their gallant captain, will do valiant serv- 
ice. All honor to the gallant men of the South side 1 



PERSONAL. 

We regret very much that we have been so situated for the last two weeks as to 
prevent our giving that attention to the military preparations now going on in our 
midst as we wish we could, and as we may be expected from our official position as 
Lieutenant-Colonel to give. Our associate is kept at home by sickness in his family, 
and so has one of our hands been most of the time ; and, this week, another is sick, so 
it has required our attention to the office, all the time, to keep things going. Our 
heart is in the cause of our country, any way, and we hope that, very soon, our hands 
may be in the work"! 



THE NlNETV-FIflST. 

We have elsewhere spoken of the forces at Camp Forbes, but did not there men- 
tion Captain Beaumont's company, which is still in town. There are about sixty men 
in this company, and they have offered themselves to the Governor, we are told, for 
service in this State alone. The officers are as follows: Captain, F. S. Beaumont; 
First Lieutenant, Fount McWhirter; Second Lieutenant, J. J. Crusman ; Third Lieu- 
tenant, E. Withers. The other officers, if elected, are not known to us. Most of this 
company are you >ig men who are capable of real hard service, and they are perfecting 
themselves in military tactics by daily drills. 



FEMININE MILITARY. 

The military fever is epidemic in this community beyond all question. It has 
even reached 7i'oman, and infused itself into the peaceful walks of science ! The young 
ladies of the Clarksville Female Academy, instead of submitting to be taken /// arms, 
as they ought to do, have, in their patriotic ardor, taken up arms, and are now daily 
being instructed in the use of gun and pistol. Some of them, too, we are told, show a 
remarkable aptitude to learn, and are already "good shots;" and they all say that, if 



37 

Clarksville shall ever be invaded by an enemy, they will tu/n out and b.'.ttle for i;s 
de.'ense. Good ! 



CAMP LIFE. 

A regular military camp has been established at the county Fair CJrounds, some 
two miles from town, and it has, for two weeks past, been occupied by several com- 
panies of vidunteirs. There are now, we reckon, between four and five hundred 
troops there. The camp is named in compliment to Captain Forbes, who was the first 
man to repair there with a campany. The credit of raising the first company in Mont- 
gomery county, we believe, also belongs to Captain Forbes. 



The Russellville Herald gives a glowing account of the reception of Major Henry 
at 'hat place, on Monday last, and of his two brilliant and effective speeches — one in 
the afternoon and the other at night. The Major never makes any but brilliant and 
effective speeches, and what is more, they are always on the right side. As to the 
beautiful bouquet, the lady couldn't help presenting it, and he couldn't help talking 
about it in a style as beautiful as the gift, and as pure as the giver. 



IRISH CITIZENS. 

Captain Steve Brandon has organized a military company composed entirely of 
Irishmen. We believe there are about forty men now in the company, and they are 
as fine-looking a body of men as we have yet seen — all large, stout, muscular fellows, 
fit and ready for hard service. Last Saturday this company was presented, by Mrs. 
McCulloch, wife of Thomas McCuUoch, of this city, with a beautiful Confederacy 
flag, which was received in behalf of the company by Cajjtain Brandon in a neat and 
pertinent speech. 



We have intelligence every day of the formation of new military companies in all 
parts of the county. At New Providence, Palmyra, Pea Ridge, Woodlawn, New 
York, Port Royal, Smith's Shop, Cabin Row and other points, companies have been 
formed — all made up of the best men in the neighborhoods. Let the work go on 1 If 
war must come, let us go in to make short work of it, by such fighting as the world 
never saw ! 



A FLAG ! A FLAG ! ! 

We should feel very proud to see the flag of the Southern Confederacy floating 
from the tall fire-walls of the Chronicle office, but we can't sew, ourselves, "worth 
talkin' about,'" and nobody who can has "as fur as he'erd frum" said anything about 
making a flag for us. We are looking out, though, every day, to hear something like 
"Will the local of the Chronicle be so good as to accept the accompanying flag, 
which the ladies of so and so have prepared?" and so forth and so on ! 



3S 
The proceedings of a meeting at Cumberland City have been handed in for pub- 
lication, but at too late an hour. Several stirring speeches were made in behalf of 
Southern rights, and a company of sixty were organized on the spot with W. J. l!road- 
dus as Captain. None of the leading men of Stewart participated in the meeting, and 
there was but one feeling in the crowd — armed resistance and Southern independ- 
ence. 



jFrew the Chronicle of May lotli. 

TENNESSEI-: INDEPEN'DENT. 

Our Legislature, which met in extraordinary session on the 25th ult., has since 
then been deliberating and acting with closed doors; and until Tuesday last, nothing 
was known to outsiders of their proceedings. On that day, however, the veil \vas 
lifted, and Tennessee stood out before the world in all the beauty of a new creation! 
She was indeed a new creature. The shackles that bound her to a debased and de- 
moralized Government of free-lovers, amalgamationists and negro-worshippers, had 
been rent, by the solemn edict of her Legislature, and, revoking the powers she had 
erst surrendered in trust to that Government, she resumed her proud birth-right of in- 
dependence, and announced to the world her purpose to maintain it. All hail I our 
gallant State! Her high-hearted and chivalrous sons from the blue hills of- the East to 
her uttermost lines on the West, and from North to South, will hail that proud purpose 
with loud peals of exhultation, and clasping their arms of strength around her will cling 
to and sustain her, in every vicissitude of gloom or of glory ! Yes ; Tennessee is free ! 
Both houses of our Legislature have passed an act, or ordinance, of independence, 
which is to be submitted to a popular vote, for approval or rejection, on Saturday, the 
8th day of June, prox. The result will be an overwhelming vote for the ordinance. 
Besides passing this ordinance, our Legislature enacted into a provisional alliance with 
the Southern Confederacy, through the agency of a commission appointed by President 
Davis; and appropriated five million of dollars for our common defense. Governor 
Harris, too, in view of the new attitude we have assumed, and by virtue of the power 
vested in him, has made a call on our State for fifty-five thousand troops, for immediate 
and contingent service. Thus does Tennessee now stand; and the question is, can she 
maintain the position she has so proudly assumed? Let her past history answer. Let 
the plains of Chalmette and of Mexico speak for the prowess of Tennessee volunteers I 
Yes, we will triumph! With a reverend and humble trust in Almighty God, let us 
lock our shields, and strike, as one man, for our independence and our rights, and 
\ irtory soon will perch upon our banners, and the wings of peace overspread our 
fair Southern homes. God sijeed the dav. 



A I'LAi;! A ELAC ! 

This was our heading, last week, as we lamented that we had no flag to hang out 
on our walls, but now we write "a flag! a flag! I " in exultation that we have one. .A 
Southern flat;, graced by the seven stars of the Confederacy, and two others, tor ^'ir- 



39 

giiii;i and Tennessee, and wrought by the fair hands of two of Clarksville's loveliest 
and most beautiful daughters, now floats out, proudly and defiantly, from our highest 
window. To sa}' that we feel proud of our flag, and prouder yet of the source from 
whence it came to us, does but poorly express our emotions when looking upon it. To 
the fair donors, Misses Ellen and Fanny Balthrop, we beg leave to tender our sincerest 
thanks. We know not what more we can say, unless it be to hope that if any blow 
sliall e\er have to be struck, under our Southern flag, in defense of Southern maidens 
and mothers, it may be ours to aid in striking itl 



OUR CAVALRY. 

We have inadvertently omitted in our previous issues, to make mention of our 
cavalry comjiany. The company now numbers, we believe, some forty or fifty men, 
and when fully armed and ecjuipped, will constitute a powerful arm of defense for us. 
We would suggest to our people the absolute necessity of contributing towards the arm- 
ing and equipping of this company. All of the men composing it are willing to bear a 
good part of the expense themselves; most of them do so to the extent of one-half, or 
more, and some, to get up the company, are willing to bear the entire expense of their 
outfit. Under these circumstances our citizens ought to aid them liberally, and we 
hope, will do so. The officers of the company are as follows; John W. Gorham, Cap- 
tain; T. T. Willis, First Lieutenant; A. Robb, Second Lieutenant; Joseph M. Jones, 
Third Lieutenant; W. W. V, lliant, Orderly Sergeant. 

F;vm the Chronicle of May i-jfh. 

Dr. C. W. Beaumont of our county has raised a fine company of cavalry, com- 
posed mostly of men living in District No. i. They were in town on the day of the 
review, but by a singular oversight we failed to make any notice of them or the event 
that called them here. The company is made up almost entirely of stalwart, alile men, 
who will dare any service, and can bear any fatigue. They were well mounted, and 
nearly all in uniform, and they made a very fine display. They wish, we are told, to 
be mustered into service as soon as possible, and are willing to do battle wherever 
they may be needed. 

From the Chronicle of May 2\tli. 

Major G. A. Henry returned home, a few days ago, from East Tennessee, and 
reports cheering from that division of the State. The cause of the South, he says, is 
gaining ground daily, as the people are disabused of the false impressions made by the 
chicken-hearted submissionists there. Major Henry spoke there twice, and no doubt 
with good effect. Governor Foote and Our House are now there answering the Union- 
whining of Johnson and Nelson, and showing th§ people how the treacherous Abolition 
Government of 'Abe Lincoln has disregarded their rights, and is now seeking their 
absolute subjugation. 



Last week Captain Forbes' Company and Captain Gholson's were both regularly 
mustered into service by Colonel Quarles, at Camp Duncan, being the first from this 



40 
county. Yesterday and day before four others, Captain Beaumont's, Captain Hewitt's, 
Captain Brunson's and Captain Brandon's, were received and mustered in by the same 
authority. Their ranks had not been entirely filled when the two companies, first 
named, were received into service, but now they are all full. Montgomery county has 
thus far done well, and we may all feel proud of the troops she has raised ; but we ought 
to do a little more yet. We ought to raise four more companies, and thus complete a 
regiment of ten companies, nou> ; and if need be hereafter raise still another. Whatever 
is necessary to conquer we must do — for conquer or perish is the word! 
From the Chronicle of May 31J"/. 

CL.-^RKSVILLE-.M.\DE CANNON. 

We had the pleasure, a day or two since, of e.vamining some of the cannons cast in 
this city at the foundry ot Messrs. Whitfield, Bradley & Co. These guns are si-\ and 
nine pounders, and appear to us to be perfect work. They are very heavy and the 
casting remarkably compact and smooth, so that no ordinary firing will be likely to 
burst them. Indeed, they have been tested, with the most satisfactory results. The 
precision of the firing, too, was excellent, for green artillerists. They were fired across 
Cumberland River at a tree, and the ball struck it three times in five shots. Altogether 
the casting of cannon here may be set down as a perfect success. The same foundry 
can turn out balls of any size and in any quantity. Messrs. Johnson, Garth &: Co. 
are making excellent carriages for these guns, thus enabling Clarksville to turn out, 
ready for service, A No. 1 cannon. 



RED RIVER BOVS. 

Captain James M. Lockert mustered his gallant band of Red River boys into this 
city last Monday, when Colonel Quarles administered the oath to them, in an impres- 
sive manner, and they became part and parcel of the Tennessee troops. They are 
quartered at Camp Duncan. This company is composed of stout, broad-breasted, good 
looking young men, the very flower of the Red River section. We predict that if this 
noble band is called into active service they will never permit the beautiful flag, en- 
trusted to their hands by the fair w-omen of their neighborhood, to trail the dust. We 
humbly trust that each and every one of them may be permitted to return to their 
friends, and live to a ripe old age, to recount the dangers and difficulties through which 
they may ]jass in this, the second war of independence. 



LETTER FROM HON. C.WE JOHNSON. 

Clarksville, Tenn., May 29th, 1861. — Dear Sir: In compliance with vour note 
of this morning, I have to state that, in my judgment, under the circumstances that 
now surrounds us, it is the best for the country that we should vote for separation and 
representation at the approaching electton. The conduct of the Administration in 
making war upon the States, is such a subversion of the Constitution that makes it the 
duty of each State to exercise, at once, all the rights reserved in the Constitution to 
secure their independence and future prosperity. I should have preferred not voting 



41 

for reiiresentatiijii. at i>rt.'st;nt. in the Southern Confederac)-, and that our State should 
have stood independent, under the agreement to act with oin- States offensively and 
defensively during the war, and after peace, then to have acted in concert with the 
other slave-holding States in the formation of a new Confederacv. But as the ([uestion 
is now to be voted on, a vote against representation would probably be construed at 
the North as a vote favoring the policy of the Administration, and might induce the 
belief that there was a much greater division among us than really exists. 1 ha\e con- 
cluded to give my vote for representation, under the belief and hope that a united front 
would best promote the interests of the State, and trust to making a proper Confedera- 
tion when we shall have secured peace. I am, very respectfully, your friend, 
Alfred Robb, Esq., Clarksville. C. Johnson. 



CONE INTO CAMP. 

Yesterday morning Captain Beaumont's Company, made up in town, and Captain 
Lockert's Company, from the Red River section of this county, were marched out to 
t]uarters at Camp Duncan. They are two of the best of our companies, and made a 
fine appearance yesterday. As the gallant fellows passed by us, and we bade them 
good-l)ye and ( lod-sjieed, tears involuntarily started, at the thought that we looked 
then, perhaps for the last time, in the familiar faces of many of the friends of our boy- 
hood and maturer years. May Almighty God shield and defend them, in the day of 
battle, and soon restore them to their homes freemen, still, and victors! 



THE ladies' SEWINi; SOCIETV. 

The ladies of Clarksville have, for a week past, been hard at work making u\) 
clothes for our volunteer soldiers, and have thus done an immense amount of good for 
oiu- cause. It is to be hoped, too, that they will persevere in this patriotic work, for 
there is a great deal yet to be done. A large quantity of clothing is now being made, 
and will yet have to be made, for different companies, and a large number of tents 
must be made. If the ladies should "give out," we would be in a terrible fi.x; but we 
do not fear that ; we have too much confidence in their constancy and faithfulness in 
every good cause, to fear that they will fail in a work of devotion to their country. If 
there is yet any lady in town, who has not aided in this important service, let her come 
forward now, and lend herself, heart and hand, to it. The work must be done, and 
none but the ladies can do it. 



vveepin' ami wailix'. 
The Black Republicans are howling at a terrible rate over the death of the fellow 
Ellsworth, who was killed liy Jackson for tearing down a secession flag in his house in 
.Alexandria. They make him out a virtuous martyr to a noble cause, and brand his 
killing as cold-blooded, savage murder. Ellsworth was Colonel of the New York Fire 
Zouaves, a regiment made up of bruisers, black-guards and bullies, picked up from the 
New York firemen. Their confessed jiurpose, if they ever could make any headwa)' 



42 

in the South, was murder, arson, pillage, ])lunder, rape, and ruin I Beauty and Booty 
was their war-cry ! Such were the devils Ellsworth was leading against Virginia. With 
five or six of them he went into Jackson's house and insultingly tore down a flag there, 
and doing so, was righteously and manfully shot down, and poor Jackson was in turn 
killed by one of his hounds 1 



PRECAUIION. 

Except while running for Lieutenant-Colonel of the Militia, we have never pre- 
tended to much military genius, and we hope that the matter of our State defense is in 
hands competent to guard against any unexpected incursion of an enemy; yet we think 
that, if it has not already been done, every avenue of sudden approach into our State 
ought to be immediately and efficiently guarded by thoroughly armed soldiers. Lin- 
coln will, probably, very soon, complete the humiliation of Kentucky, by quartering 
his troo])s in Louisville, and at other places within her borders, and from thence he 
may, in his madness, attempt to enter Tennessee, with his soup-house hirelings; and 
in view of this possible contingency, every road and path into the State ought to bristle 
with the bavonets of well-armed and trustv soldiers. 



BE WATCHFUI,. 

Our people are not, we fear, as vigilant and watchful of unknown persons, in our 
midst, as they ought to be. We believe there are amongst us secret emisaries of the 
Lincoln Government, sent here to spy out our proceedings, and do all the mischief 
they can, meanwhile. The Lincoln papers, at Washington, have boasted that their 
chief has spies all through the South. We would not counsel violence to any man, till 
he is known to be guilty of conduct deserving it; but we do think that every one, not 
entirely above suspicion, ought to be peaceably and quietly ordered to a more Northern 
latitude ! Self-preservation demands this, and we must not hesitate about it. Let dis- 
creet, prudent men take this matter in hand and carry it out. 



FLAG PRESEXTATION. 

The following heroic and pathetic speech was made by Mrs. E. P. Moody on the 
presentation of a beautiful flag to the patriotic members of the "Red River Volun- 
teers. " It is published by request of many citizens in that vicinity, and with pleasure 
do we lay the warm heart-pourings of the Southern ladies before our readers : 

Gentlemen Volunteers — It is with diffidence that I undertake to discharge a duty 
imposed upon me by my lady associates. A consciousness of my inability imjjels me 
to bespeak your most generous indulgence. Let me presume that your liberality will 
allow me to refer to that once proud and happy LTnion, whose domains extended from 
the icy banks of the St. Lawrence to the boiling Gulf of Mexico; from the briny caps 
of the Atlantic to the golden shores of the Pacific. Behold her in her once proud 
splendor, carrying the arts and sciences to their nc plus ultra : an honored Republic, 
the mistress of the world, whose sword when raised to resent an insult caused kings 



43 
and queens to tremble for the safety of their thrones ; an enemy to tyrants and a friend 
to the oppressed. But to-day, where is her splendor, her purity and her glory? Ob- 
literated and gone forever! 

"Gone, glimmering through the dream of things that were, 
A schoolboy's tale — the wonder of an hour." 

Corruption wended her way into her legislative halls, usurpation reached forth her 

prisonous hand and forced out the lovers of liberty. \'ea, the American flag robbed 

of its purity by the baneful Abolition demons, now lies in her tomb close by the side 

of those who bore her triumphantly through the dark adversities of 1776, and we can 

but say 

"Farewell, gallant Eagle, thou wer't buried in light; 
God rest thee in heaven, lost star of our night." 

Eleven of the States, formerly the strongest pillars of the United States, animated 
by the same ardent, patriotic and incorruptible spirit that actuated the immortal heroes 
of the revolution, have declared themselves independent of the Northern government, 
in whose Presidential chair sits a villain surrounded by his faithful tyrants, and have 
formed a Republic styled the Confederate States of America. We, the friends and 
relatives of you, the Red River Volunteers, have procured for you a banner which re- 
flects the nationality of the Confederate States. I beg you, gentlemen, for the sake of 
your lady friends, to accept this symbol of gratitude to you who have so nobly vindi- 
cated your willingness to protect us, whom nature has seen fit to make incapable of 
self protection, you having done us the honor of receiving it, gentlemen, we can cheer- 
fully say, 

" Flag of the brave, thy folds shall fly, 
The sign of hope and triumph high." 

Go on, ye sons of the brave, with an onward, progressive step, wend your way to 
the shores of the Potomac, and plant yourselves upon the tomb of the Father of his 
Country, with your glittering bayonets pointed at the enemy's breast, seek a compen- 
sation for the injustice done to your Sunny South. Unfurl those colors, say to the 
minions of the North, in the name of Tennessee, who has so long clung to the Union, 
that she is rallying with her chivalry and marshaling her gallant hosts for the conflict, 
that she is yet the Volunteer State, and her heroic blood flows as richly in her veins as 
when her sons drove back the invader from New Orleans and mounted the fiery walls 
of Monterey. If you send your mercenaries to our State, we will, in the spirit of the 
Irish martyr, meet you on the border with sword in hand. We will meet you with all 
the destructive furies of war, ready to immolate ourselves upon our country's altar, and 
if compelled to retire before superior forces, will dispute every inch of ground, burn 
every blade of grass, and the last intrenchment of Southern rights shall be our 
graves. 

After which the following reply was made in behalf of the company by Lieutenant 
R. \. Barnes : 

Ladies — In behalf of the Red River Volunteers I gladly receive the proffered gift. 
Though unaccustomed to speaking, I may fail to thank you in burning words of elo- 



44 
(juence, yet I hope you will make the necessary allowance for one who stands before 
you, with feelings that would naturally prompt him to be silent — feelings which it has 
never been my lot to experience before, and which I hope may never be experienced 
by you. In presenting the banner, you spoke of the once glorious but now severed 
Lnion; that Union which was once the pride of every American heart, but which is 
now ruined forever. And what has brought on this state of aff.iirs ? A mean, low and 
grovelling desire to interfere and meddle with our institutions. The people of the 
North have gone on step by step encroaching upon our rights, until the South could 
stand it no longer, and as the last resort have appealed to the sword. 

Ladies, this revolution is not unlike the old revolution, in which our forefathers 
engaged. They were once happy as English citizens and no doubt loved theif country 
as well as we once loved the Union. No doubt they were as proud of the old red flag 
of England as we were of the stars and stripes. I:!ut when that, flag was made the em- 
blem by which they were to be enslaved, they tore it down and trampled it under foot, 
though they left a tear drop in remembrance of the past. How think you it was with 
America, only Washington, he who had led on his brave Virginians from one victory 
to another under that old red flag, "think you he gave it up without a sigh. I tell you 
no ; he gazed upon it as upon some cherished friend who, in a reckless hour, had 
i)ound him for years. We in like manner have torn down the stars and stripes of which 
we were wont to be proud in days past, and have how reared the flag of Southern lib- 
erty, around which all patriotic hearts will cling, under which we have enlisted to fight 
for the rights and liberties of the Southern peojjle. 

In conclusion, let me again return the heartfelt thanks ot the company for the 
beautiful banner, and let me assure you, ladies, that it shall never trail in the dust ; 
that no enemy of Southern rights shall ever capture it from the field as a trophy of vic- 
tory. I assure you that each and every member of this company, when in the hour of 
battle, will gaze upon this flag, which will cause him to remember from whom he re- 
ceived it. Such a remembrance will strengthen his purpose and nerve his arm for new 
deeds of valor. 

From the C/nviiuie of June 7///. 

APOLOGY TO THE LADIES. 

In our last issue, speaking of the services rendered by our patriotic women, we 
said they had been at work "for a week past." Now this was either an innocent mis- 
take or the work of our bachelor typo, in a fit of spite against the sex — the former we 
believe. Instead of one week, we ought to have said, and meant to say, six weeks ! 
So long, indeed, have our noble women been at work to equip our gallant men for the 
field, and they are still at work ! Every stitch in our boys' breeches ought to cheer 
their hearts, nerve their arms, in the day of battle ! 



Cavalry companies are being raised in Davie's Mill and Smith's Shop districts, and 
we urge our friends in each to fill up their ranks, as soon as possible, if they want to 
be received into service. Only about two regiments are now wanted, and oflers will 



45 
doubtless be numerous. By the way, cannot the company in town be revived and per- 
fec:ed. It would be a reproach to us to fail in it. 



On Wednesday evening we paid the boys at Camp Duncan a short visit. We 
found them all in good health and enjoying themselves finely. We were perfectly 
beseiged with invitations to "take supper with us.'' We finally partook of their hos- 
]nlality at the " Magnolia Hotel," where we had a first-rate supper. If they are always 
fed as well as they are now, they need have no fears of starving. We take this method 
of returning them our thanks for their kindness. 



It will be seen in another column that every male inhabitant in this district, betwen 
the age of eighteen and forty-five, is required and commanded to meet at the College 
Grove, next Tuesday, for the purpose of organizing home minute men. If you do not 
attend, vou wiW subject yourselves to the penalties of the law. 



NOTICE. 

By order of the County Court, at its extra session. May 17th, 1S61, \ve, the under- 
signed Justices of the Peace for District No. 12, have appointed and enrolled the fol- 
lowiiig named citizens of said district, and all others in said district from the age of 
eighteen to forty-five, a Home Guard of Minute Men, for the county of Montgomery. 
Said citizens are therefore required to appear at the College Grove, in Clarksville, on 
Tuesday, nth June, 1861, at 10 a. m., and then and there elect a Captain, Lieutenants, 
Sergeants, and Corporals, and report to the Commander, R. W. Humphreys, imme- 
diately : 

Poston Couts, 
James O'Neal, 
John W. Wright, 



li. W. McDonald, 

John s. Lay, 

.loseph M. Young, 

<_ieorge .\l\veU, 

J. M. Pirtle, 

R. L. Cobb, 

<;. A. I.igon, 

(_i. 15. Lewis, 

C R. Cooper, Jr., 

D. A. Mclvinnon, 

I . O. Faxon, 

<;. L. Sloan, 

H. C. Cox, 

W. s. McRcynolds, 

T. \V. Holt, 

R, D. McCauley, 

J.S. Xeblett, 

P. B. Greeuhill, 

H- R. Tarwater, 

B. A. Rogers, 

J. W. Glass, 

T. J. Robinson, 

James Tail, 

H. Westenberger, 

John Westenberger, 



Charles Cook, 
J. X. JlcICoin, 
W. L. Coulter, 
James G. Shanklin, 
D. G. Bratton, 
T. R O'Brien, 
I. N. Bartlett, 
P. Wofee, 
J. C. Read, 
J. H. Ozark, 
Fred Miller, 
W. S. Dick, 
Rich Madison. 
Marcellus Graham, 
Joseph Marlss, 
Henry Alwood, 
R. W. Ryan, 

A. W. Ryan, 
Henry Baird, 
Tim Harrington, 
Tim Mccarty, 
G. W. Leigh, 

R. T. Coulter, 

B. W. Macrae, 
J. M. Luck, 



John Shrots, 

John Bradley, 

J. L. Yates, 

J. D. Watts, 

W. I '. Pitman, 

R. S. Miller, 

L. Barton, 

W. A. Solomon, 

.1. E. Broaddus, 

P. F. Billopp, 

W. B. Settle, 

M. B. Everett, 

Thomas E. Jones, 

R. P. Read, 

W. P.^ume, 

F. F. Fox, 

P. Bradley, 

W. D. Moss, 

E. J. Foster, 

A. Howell, 

A. Quarles, 

W. S. McReynolds, 



C. H. Morrison, 
W. H. Higgins, 
L. Bradley, 
W. C. Barksdale, 
B. F. Mitchell, 
H. M. Atkins, 
T. M. Atkins, 
S. H. Tarr, 
Joseph Marks, 
W. W. Kirby, 
B. S. Gunn, 
Watson Hibbs, 

B. K. Russell, 
J. B. Davis, 

A. R Harrison, 

C. M. Barker, 
R. C. Monks, 
Charles Gilliam, 
John Young, 
Rufus Smith, 

P. J. Murta, 
Wm. Abbott, 
James A. Bates, 
James Shir wood, 
Michael Davis, 



46 



T. S. Howell, 
T. H. Mansou, 
Win. Adwell, 
JohnOglesby, 
J. T. S. Nieholsou, 
( ) B. .Slgley, 
I'. W. Miller, 
r. Kohn, 
John ('. Smith, 
B. B. Godsey, 
D. C. Liindon, 
B. Plosscr, 
John B. Johnson, 
W. W. Viilliant, 
T. A. Thomas, 
S. JI. Woodson, 
R. J. Gooslree, 
G. L. Marr, 
M. D. Bell, 
Mike Marmen, 
T. T. Willis, 
Jno. D. Moore, 
Bailey Brown, 
G. C. Breed, 
G. W. Crockett, 
W. (_'. Judkins, 
T. W. King, 
K. H. Neal, 
J. J. Ralls, 
Jno. McDono, 
O. A. Harrell, 
G. R. Smith, 
Wm. M. Jackson, 
T. H. Jackson, 
J. H. Jackson, 
N. W. Glenn, 
Jno. D. Smith, 
David Dick, Jr., 
Sam'l B. Seat, 
L. R. Cooper, 
J.N. McGiiinis, 
B. W. Herring, 
L. W. Ingle, 
F. Berotheim, 
Wm. Rose, 
Jno. King, 
Frank Pearce, 
Lewis Allen, 
Thos. Pearce, 
Josh Pearce, 
J. G. Black, 
Jno. Suiter, 
John K.Smith, 



Wm. L. Moore, 
Henry Grimes, 
Rich Wall. 
Stephen O'Neal, 
R. E. Pennyman, 
James M. Bowling, 
John Conroy, 
T. Boyle, 
S. C. Cryerson, 
R. M. Prouty, 
B. F. Norflect, 
James L. Glenn, 
J. B. Little, 
J.J. Perkins, 
John Middleton, 
Eugene Devlin, 
Jno. F. Couts, 
G. H. Slaughter, 

A. D. .Smith, 
M. D. Brownell, 

B. H. Wisdom, 
Jos. W. Foster, 
Jno. Co.\, 
(ieo. B. Faxon, 
D. A. Luckett, 
J. H. Billingly, 
Isaac Peterson, 
T. A.Covington, 
Robt. Bringhurst, 
T. W. Wisdom, 

B. F. Poston, 
Jos. P. Williams, 
Chas. D. Baile.v, 
Robt. Weakley, 
R. S. Young, 

H. W. Courts, 

S. Perdue, 

T. A. Ramse.v, 

O. W. Davis, 

Chris Wade, 

J. B. Soule, 

H. L. W. Cradddcit, 

K. P. Glenn, 

K. R. Carr, 

H. L. Hilraan, 

Charles Davy, 

John O'Brien, 

T. B. Smith, 

W. J. Henderson, 

C. H. Roberts, 
T.J. Pritchett, 
H. A. Currant. 
W. H. Tuniley, 



O. M. Blackraan, 
W. E. Ellis, 
P. J. Averett, 
J. A. .Smith, 
\V. R. Bradshaw, 
A. Weill, 
Ro)>ert Sent, 
W. J. Lyues, 
Winfleld Roach, 
P. J. Young, 
D. Jl. Woods, 
P. H. Porter, 

C. M. Stewart, 
James L. Carter, 
Andrew Jabkson, 
J. P. Y. WhUlield, 
W. H. Adderhold, 
W. W. Small, 

J. R. Gambrill, 
J. B. Henderson, 
J. E. Smith, 
.S. P. Chesnut, 
J. B. McNemer, 
A. B. Jlarshall, 
W. J. Philips, 
Jas. Brockman, 
J. McClintock, 
M. H. Clark, 
L. R. Clark, 
J. G. Hornberger, 
P. H. Meyers, 

D. N. Kennedy, 
S. F. Beaumont, 
George Barclay, 
Jas. M. Quarles, 

C. M. Kidd, 
A. Robb, 

R. W. Johnson, 
R. .S. Faith, 
W. D. CoUishaw, 
Thos. Belote, 
Wm. Hender.son, 

D. C. Holt, 
W. T. Dortcli, 
J. L. Smitli, 
Wm. Manein, 
John .S. Cain, 
A. S. Livermore, 
W. W. Murphy, 
R. .\. McReynolds 
John Glenn, 
Cave Johnson, J r., 



John Stratford, 
Wm. May, 
L. Wiel, 
R. Y. Johnson, 
Paris Peter. 
West Jerdan, 
J. Bollin, 

James Curamings, 
W. D. Rarrich, 
H. McFerreu, 
W. L. Gardiner, 
Henry Orrell, 
Jas, Higgins, 
J. F. Shelton, 
Jerr.v Sullivan, 
Jno. Riordan, 

C. Kropp, 
Jos. M. Jones, 
Jas. Butler, 

Dr. Jas. F. Johnson, 
T. H. Smith, 
G. S. Dick, 
T. A. Jones, 
Jos. Gotchlecof, 
Wm. McAleer, 

D. Marr, 

Jos. T. Johnson, 
J. P. Lovett, 
Wm. Ryan, 
Pat Sullivan, 
Calvin Courts, 
Geo. W. Hilman, 
Alfonza Smith, 
Jno. H. Marr, 
Wm. M. Finley, 
Baker, Ely, 

A. L. Glenn, 
W. H. May, 
J. N. Neblett. 
J. A. Irvine, 
Shelljy Jarrell, 
W. H. ilryarly, 

B. B. Godsey, 

C. M. Hiter, 
Joseph S. Malone, 
K. W. Northlngton, 
W. B. Hewlett, 
Hugh Dunlop, 
John Hynes, 

r.V. Parker, 
John .Mill.s, 
John Biunt, 



Two companies will be formed, one on each side of Franklin street. 

J. A. Bailev, 
Eli Lockert, 
Justices of the Peace. 



47 
From tlic Cltroiiich- of June 14///. 
CAMP quaki.es. 
The regiment which has been encamped at the Fair (irounds for the past six weeks 
was moved by Colonel Forbes to Hampton's Spring, about eight miles from the city, 
last Monday., The camp is named Camp Quarles, in honor to W. A. Quaeles, Esq., 
of this city. On Wednesday evening last we paid "our boys" a hurried visit, and we 
are glad to be able to say that we found them very comfortably situated. The camp is 
located in the midst of a beautiful and shady grove, within a very short distance of one 
of the finest springs in the world. The parade ground is large and commodious, and 
is about half a mile from the camp. We supped at the "Dixie House," where we 
found our friends Thos. McCuUoch and lady, who had carried out the boys a heap of 
"good things." After supper the soldiers got together and had music, singing, danc- 
ing, etc., and all seemed to be enjoying themselves hugely. They are a fine looking 
and brave set of men, and woe ! be unto the Goths and Vandals of the North who may 
come in contact with them. We deeply deplore the sad condition of our once happy 
country, but if they must fight, may the God of Battles direct their bullets, and throw 
a shield of protection around each and every one of them. 



Captain Cobb's Company, the "Independent Guards," is now made up, and will 
soon be equipped with a nice uniform. It is composed of fine sized, good looking 
men, whose very ap])earance would put a legion of Yankees to flight; the only use they 
have for muskets is to shoot the enemy on the wing. 



DISTRICT .MILITARY. 

Pursuant to notification by the proper authorities, a large number of the men liv- 
ing in this civil district, subject to military duty, assembled at the College Grove last 
Tuesday, and were organized into two companies. Franklin street is made the divid- 
ing line of the district, and every man in the district between eighteen and forty-five 
years belongs to one company or the other. The company on the North side elected 
the following officers : John Shelton, Captain; R. C. Monks, First Lieutenant ; H. Wall, 
Second Lieutenant; Robert Bringhurst, Third Lieutenant. The company on the South 
side elected : J. C. Read, Captain ; John Young, First Lieutenant. The matter of uni- 
form, arms, drilling, etc., will be attended to hereafter, by the respective companies. 



OAK GROVE RANGERS. 

A fine Cavalry Company, from Oak Grove, Ky. , bearing this name, marched into 
town last Wednesday evening. General Quarles gave them a cordial welcome, in a 
short speech from the bank steps, to which they responded in repeated hearty cheers. 
We understand that this gallant band of soldiers, the chivalry of Southern Kentucky, 
intend offering their services to Governor Harris. Woe unto the Yankee crew that 
attempts to measure lances with these patriotic Rangers. Thomas Woodward is Cap- 
tain, and Darwin Bell is First Lieutenant. 



KLECTIOX OF FIKLD OFFICERS. 

Last week the election of Field officers of this regiment, came off at Camp Duncan, 
and the following officers were elected: For Colonel, VVm. A. Forbes, of this city; for 
Lieutenant-Colonel, M. G. Gholson, of this county; for Major. Nathan Brandon, of 
Dover, Tenn. All of them are said to be co.mpetent and efficient officers. Dr. James 
F.Johnson, of this city, has been appointed Surgeon, and Dr. John S. Martin, of this 
county. Assistant. 



Fare thee well, and forever ! is our parting salutation to tlie fanatic and infuriated 
North. Tennessee no longer owes allegiance to a vile usurper, or claims kindred with 
people who deny us our rights and seek to annihilate us because we dare maintain 
them. It is not without a feeling of sadness that we look back upon a Union once re- 
vered, but now dissevered ; a government overthrown, and a flag dishonored by high- 
handed usurpations unparalleled in the world's history. Not a vestige remains, to the 
people of the North, of that constitutional liberty so long enjoyed in peace and pros- 
perity, and in its stead has been built up a military despotism that has crushed the 
dearest rights of the citizen — suspending alike the constitution and the laws. From 
this despotism Tennessee has taken safe refuge outside of the old Union, and, to the 
subjects of Lincoln, is now a foreign State. Our liberties, invaded within that Union, 
we may have to fight for. out of it : but Tennessee stands ready to meet the shock, and 
has no fears of the issue. As a people, we now claim the right to manage our own 
affairs, and will not stop to inquire whether that right is based upon constitutional or 
natural law — we have defied the power of a tyrant and have stepped out of his domin- 
ions to give him the battle which he solicits. Call it revolution, rebellion, secession, 
insurrection or by any other name, and the fact remains the same. Tennessee is out 
of the old Union, and, what is more, intends to stay out. She scorns the dastardly 
Northern fanatics who, in their eagerness to crush our rights, have basely surrendered 
every right of their own into the keeping of a lawless usurper. The warm and gener- 
ous feelings of the people of the South can find no sympathy with the wild fanaticism, 
mercenary calculations and puritanic self-righteousness of the North, whose peo])le are 
now, henceforth and forever, aliens to the South. C;ood-l)\'e. .Abe! Wc part with 
you with as much reluctance as a gentleman takes leave of a thief; and as our inter- 
course — excejjt as belligerents — is at an end, we wish you no harder fate than to fall 
into the hands of Confederate troops, and after they have done with you, into the 
hands of your father — the devil. With the same kind wishes tor your Cabinet and 
your entire ])olitical family. Tennessee subscribes herself an independent sovereignt\'. 



Montgomery has nobly discharged her duty by giving 2,742 votes for sejiaration 
against 33 for Lincoln ; and Clarksville, thougli deprived of the votes of its many gal- 
lant volunteers, cast 561 for and "NF. against separation. We will not claim that this 
is the banner county, but when it is considered that its Northern border rests upon a 
Lincoln State, such a claim might well be set up. 



49 
From the Chronicle of June zisf. 

We copy from the Banner a communication urging the election of Major Henry 
to the office of (Governor. His fitness for, and claims to, any position that Tennessee 
can give him, none will question, and did we believe he desired the one mentioned, 
we would, at once, hoist his name and go to work for him. But we don't believe he 
wants it, and we do not wish to see him a candidate for an office to obtain which he 
must work like a galley slave. He has worked for years, and often when laborers 
were few and reluctant, and if the people desire to manifest their appreciation of his 
intellectual and physical labors in their behalf by conferring office upon him, let it be 
one that he is not required to earn over again by arduous toil and drafts upon a purse 
that has been so often unclasped in the public service : 

"In looking over the eminent men who are worthy of the highest honors which 
Tennessee can bestow, the question arises, Which one of them should be her Governor 
for the next two years ? While we would cheerfully support for that position any man 
acceptable to the great body of the people, it would yet afford us unusual pleasure to 
see (Justavus A. Henry, of Montgomery, elevated to that high office by the almost 
unanimous vote of the people. Possessing talents of the highest order, chastened by 
the experience of a long lite, a private character of spotless purity, a politician of rare 
disinterestedness, identified in feeling and interest with Tennessee and the South, and 
having occupied a medium position between the original Secessionists and Unionists^ 
a )30sition clearly and forcibly defined in his eloquent letter of the 29th of January last, 
which you had the manliness to vindicate against the charge of ' unsoundness ' made 
against it at the time of its first appearance, he possesses peculiar qualifications and fit- 
ness for the Gubernatorial office, which I am persuaded fully in my own mind he 
would fill with rare acceptability. Patrick Henry held the office of Governor during 
the most critical period in the history of Virginia, and it would be a striking coincidence 
should his kinsman, G. A. Henry, hold the same office during the most critical period 
in the history of Tennessee." 



CAPTAIN OF COMPANY A. 

The election of Captain Forbes, of this company, to the Colonelcy of the regiment 
to which it belongs, left his former office vacant, and a few days ago an election was 
held to fill it, which resulted in the choice of G. A. Harrel, Esq., of this city, without 
opposition. The company has made a good selection, as Mr. Harrel possesses the 
requisites for both efficiency and popularity in such position. 



Our news columns are filled with war intelligence. In addition to the report of 
two battles near tVie Kansas border, in which the Missourians were victorious, we have 
news from private sources about the affair at Boonville. A gentleman who left St. 
Louis yesterday evening says that General Lyon was repulsed in his attack on Boon- 
ville and retreated to his boats. On his return to Jefferson City, at Rocheport, a 
masked battery ojiened on him and completely riddled his boats. They were in a sink- 



5° 
ing condition, and General Lyon and his entire force were compelled to surrender. 
Three hundred of the Federal troops are s.iid to have been slain. We think this news 
is reliable, as letters have been received corroborating a portion of the above. Details 
of the skirmish at Vienna show a dreadful loss of life. The Federals were surprised, 
and fled in dismay. A special dispatch to the Cincinnati £/ii/ia'/rr reports that a battle 
had been raging at Leesburg for ten hours; also that General Johnston, who evacuated 
Harper's Ferry, had attempted a surprise of General Patterson's command. The Vir- 
ginians are also moving into West Virginia. 



EXCURSION TO C.\MP QU-iVRLES. 

(^n Tuesday last quite a number of ladies and gentlemen got aboard of the Bow- 
ling Green accommodation train, at 1:45 p. m., and in a few minutes were landed safe 
at the camp. The ladies took out large quantities of provisions to their friends and 
relatives, and the soldiers seemed to enjoy their presence and the good things im- 
mensely. The evening was spent in examining the camps, grounds, &c., and witness- 
ing the drilling at the parade ground. They are progressing finely with their drills 
under the management of Colonel Forbes, Lieutenant-Colonel Gholson and Major 
Brandon, and in a short time they will be as well drilled as any regiment in the State. 
As long as they are cheered by the presence of the fair women of our country, it will 
nerve their arms to go forth to the battle-field, to fight in their defense, with a deter- 
mination to conquer or die. We take this occasion to tender them our thanks, and 
the thanks of the ladies, for their kind attentions during our brief visit. 
Tvv'OT f/if Chivnide of June zisf. 

WHAT they've done. 

To give our readers an idea of the amount of work that has been done by the 
ladies of this town, and others in the country, we will state that they have made caps, 
shirts, and pants, for Captains Harrel's, Gholson's, Brunson's, Beaumont's, Lockert's, 
Brandon's, W. E. Lowe's, Buckner's, Robert's, and Hewett's Companies, ten in all. 
Besides this they made eighty caps for Captain Walton's Company. The companies 
first named will average nearly ninety men, thus showing an immense amount of work 
necessary to equip them with clothing. Allowing a cap, shirt, and pants to each man, 
twenty-seven hundred pieces were required! .\11 this work, too, has been done with- 
out any jiecuniary compensation whatever. All honor to our patriotic women I 



PROCI-.^M.ATION BV governor HARRIS. 

Whereas, by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, passed 6th 
May, 1861, an election on the 8th day of June, 1861, was held in the several counties 
of the State, in accordance herewith, upon the Ordinance of Separation and Represen- 
tation ; and also, whereas, it appears from the official returns of said election that the 
jjeople of the State of Tennessee have in their sovereign will and capacity, by an over- 
whelming majority, cast their votes for Separation, dissolving all political connection 
with the late United States Government, and adopted the Provisional Government of 



SI 
the Confederate States of America. Now, therefore, I, Isliam G. Harris, Governor of 
the State of Tennessee, do "make it known and declare all connection by the State of 
Tennessee with the Federal Union dissolved, and that Tennessee is a free, independent 
government, free from all obligation to or connection with the Federal Government of 
the United States of America. 



OAK (jrovp: rangers mustered in. 
This fine company from Christian county, Ky. , having been accepted by Governor 
Harris, were mustered into seevice on Tuesday last. They number some eighty or 
ninety men, mounted on fine serviceable horses, and each man is armed with a double- 
barrel shot-gun, a large Colt's pistol, and a good Bowie-knife. Several of our towns- 
men ha\e joined this company, one of whom, Jo. M. Jones, has been elected Third 
Lieutenant. The company, preceded by the New Providence Band, marched through 
town Tuesday evening to their temporary camp. The following is the roll of officers 
and privates of this company : 

Parrish, W. H., Third Sergeant. 
Nichols, W. P., F'ourth Sergeant. 
Starling, (i., Thirst Corporal. 
Willjjuns, J., Second Corporal. 
McGuire, W. K., Third Corporal. 
Seward, M. W., Fourth Corjjoral. 

Kogers, D. ¥. 



Woodward, T., Captain. 
Hell, Darwin, First Lieutenant. 
Canii)l)ell, F., Second Lieutenant. 
Jones, J. yi., Third Lieutenant. 
Elliott, \V. A., Orderly Sergeant. 
Clardy, B. F., Second Sergeant. 



Adams, William. 
Anderson, J. M. 
Blankinship, J. W 
Blanks, J. T. 
Blanks, R. .\. 
Beggs, M. B. 
Badger, B. 
Blanks, W. B. 
Bacon, G. Ij. 
Biu-kner, W. p:. 
Bacon, G. M. 
Buck, S. H. 
Cushinberry, W. \ 
(lark, H. L. 
Chapman, T. J. 
Caldwell, J. W. 
Couts, .\. J. 
Dickerson, W. P. 



Drake, J. W. 
Kdwards, L. T. 
Evans, J". M. 
Gordon, Daniel. 
Gorham, R. T. 
Ciray, W. F. 
Greenhill, P. B. 
Greenwade, T. P. 
Herndon, H. C. 
Henly, John. 
Hardin. F. M. 
Holland, J. P. 
Johnston, A. M. 
Jones, J. H. 
Keene, J. H. 
Kelley, R. 
Lander, W. B. 
Leavel, W. S. 



Lester, J. O. 
Leavel, Baker. 
Long, 8. A. 
Miller, R. S. 
Martin, L. P. 
Mitchell, J. H. 
Newton, W. A. 
Newton, J. H. 
Ogburn, R. H. 
Owen, N. T. 
Owen, R. E. 
Poindexter, R. H. 
Pendleton, C. H. 
Peay, Austin. 
Parsley, M. C. 
Prince, T. H. 
Parmenter, W. H. 
Peacock, A. 



Richardson, W. B. 
Reece, T. M. 
Radford, A. T. 
Smith, T. B. 
Shepard, C. A. 
Saunder.s, H. C. 
Searcy, R. 
Staton, J. M. 
Seyers, J. Y. 
Steger, E. W. 
Thomas, J. Q. 
Turner, S. P. 
Trice, G. W. 
Thomas, G. S. 
Withers, W. J. 



RIFLE COMPANY. 

Our townsman, T. W. Beaumont, Esq., hgs been engaged for three weeks past in 
enlisting men for a rifle company, and has succeeded so well as to have nearly the 
requisite number; he, however, lacks a few, and those who wish to join must do so at 
once. An excellent company of this kind ought to be raised in this, and Stewart, 
Dickson and Cheatham counties, and we would back them against the world for 
"sharp-shooting." We hope to see this fine company organized and eqipped very 



52 

soon. Tliere will be a barbecue given at Moore's Spring, in the Hunt's Mill district, 
on next Saturday week, for the benefit of the company. 



FORW.ARD. 

Colonel Forbes' Regiment, now at Camp Quarles, received orders, a few days ago, 
to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice. We ran out there, 
Tuesday evening, and learned this from the men, who were in high spirits at this 
prospect of getting into business, though they did not know what trade they were going 
into. Wherever these gallant boys may go, we feel very certain that they will make a 
bloody mark, and win a glorious fame. We are indebted to John W. Faxon for the 
following names of the soldiers who compose this regiment. It is no easy matter to 
get up a correct list in numbers, names and orthography, but we presume this is pretty 
nearly up to the mark : 



Forbes, W. A., Colonel. 

(iholson, M. G., Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Brandon, Nathan, Major. 

Thonii)S()n, W. W., Acting-Adjutant. 

Lyles, liich.. Acting Sergeant Major. 

Johnson, J. F., Surgeon. 

Martin, J. D., As.sistant Surtceon. 



Harrcl, G. A., Captain Co. A. 
Ru.ssell, W. G., Captiiin Co. B. 
Rolierts, Clay, Captiiiii Co. C. 
Brunson, I., Captain Co. D. 
Hewitt, E., Captain Co. K. 
Lowe, W. E., Captain Co. F. 
Buckner, H. C, Captain Co. G. 



Gorhani, .John, (Quarter-Master GeneAl. Lowe, W'ash., Captain Co. H, 

AUensworth, A.ss't .J., A. Q.-M. General. Simmons, W. P., Captain Co. I. 

Martin, G. D., Commissary (ieneral. Lockert, .J. W., Captain Co. .J. 

Goostree, John, Assistant Commi.ssary. Beaumont, F. S., Captain Co. K 

COJIPAXY A. 

Harrel, G. A., Captain. F^txon, J. W., Third Sergeant. 

Thompson, W. W., Fii-st Lieutenant. Wilcox, C. B., Fourth Sergeant. 

Cartwright, R. W., Second Lieutenant. Jones, A. J., First Corporal. 
Waggener, J. A., Third Lieutenant. 



Haskins, B. A., Orderly Sergeant. 
Fields, J. C, Second Sergeant. 



Kimble, .J., Second Corporal. 
^Nlassie, .J. J., Third Corporal. 
Jenkins, J. G., Fourth Corporal. 



Andersou, A. M. 
Anrterson, F. U. 
,\ndersou, T, J. 
.\rnistead, R. J. 
Arnistead, H. II. 
Alleusworth, A. .1. 
AUen, H. N. 
Barnes, F. H. 
Barnes, F. M. 
Bradshaw, J. r. 
Burgess, G. E. 
Kown, B. C. 
Clifton, J. C. 
Cryer, S. C. 
Campbell, L. L. 
Cook, J. O. 
Daniel, W. M. 
Donoho, C. S. 



Duke, E. D. 
Uoirls, D. M. 
Davidson, S. \V. 
Davidson, K. F. 
Diane, H. .M. 
Drane, J. M. 
Evins, K. J. 
Frayser, W. H. 
Fields, J. P. 
Farris, Daniel. 
Grimes, G. A. 
Green, W. H. 
(iarrigous, H. H. 
Glenn, W. JI. 
Gossett, R. T. 
Galvin, F. M. 
Goostree, R. .1. 
House, L. F. 



Howell, Thomas. 
Hartman, Theo. 
Kelly, C. J. 

Kennedy, 

Kerr, William. 
Lester, William. 
Lj'nes, George. 
Mitchell, P. M. 
M.igarin, C. T. 
Maxey, A. B. 
Mockbee, A. D. 
Markley, M. J. 
Mier.s J. A. 
Mehigan, C. 
MeClurc, R. W., .Jr. 
Neblett, R. C. 
Nichols, J. T. 
O'Brien, Ed. 



Perryman, R. E. 
Pettus, J. H. 
Postoa, J. H. 
Rogers, J. G. 
Razor, George. 
Sullivan, David. 
Strother, J. T. 
.Spurrier, S. W. 
Toplin, John. 
Tompkins, G. A. 
Waters, P. S. 
Ware, N. M. 
Williams, J. B. 
Williams, J. N. 
Watts, W. W. 
Wilcox, S. E. 
VVhitfleld, K. (?. 



Russell, W. ('., Captain. 
Martin, 1>. B., First Lieutenant. 
Lewis, T. W., Seeond Lieutenant. 
.Jennings, W. J., Third Lieutenant. 
Shelby, I. H., First Sergeant. 
McFall, S. .J., Second Sergeant. 

Arnolii, John. Dean, Icabad. 



53 
COMPANY B. 

Powers, S. B., Third Sergeant, 
(tholson, J. A. Fourth Sergeant. 
Neshitt, J., First C^orporal. 
Steele, E. H., Second Corporal. 
]Mockbee, R., Third Corporal. 
Broome, W. F., Fourth Corporal. 



McDonald, .lobu A. 

Averctt. H. ]L Dunbar, \V. B. Mickle, J. B. 

Allen, J. (A Fletcher, J. F. Martin, Dr. J. D. 

Baggett, H. Ferguson, Sam. Martin, W. J. 

Buchanan, Wm. Gibbs, Theo. Myers, L. O. 

Buchanan, J. P. Horn, J. H. Myers, H. H. 

Bishops, H. H. Horn, G. W. Mlxon, Allen. 

Boone, E. D. Horn, George. McGhan, C. H. 

Baugh, S V. Humphreys, D. Minor, Charles. 

Brame, James. Hagler, B. F. Nolen, R. 

P.lake, S. W. Hicks, W. F. D. Parchmen, J. T. 

Burke, J. T. Hicks, J. L. Quinn, James. 

Cross, John. Hamlett, John. Rushing, G. W. 

Collins, Josephus. Hamlett, James. Robinson, J. N. 

elides, H. W. Keesee, R. Roland, J. E. 

Dicks, John. Lewis, Jesse. Riley, \V. H. 

Davis, William. Lyle, The Hannah. Shelby, W. A. 

Davis, John D. Lee, Charles. Steele, Richard. 

Davis, John. Laird, James. Steward, R. 

COMPANY C. 

Groves, G. W., Third Sergeant. 
Mantha, D. H., Fourth Sergeant. 
Nel)lett, W. S., Fii-st Corporal. 
Dudley, R., Seeond Corporal. 
Stone, J. B., Third C^orporal. 
Lee, .J. R., Fourth Corporal. 



Sugg, s. B. 
Sugg, Quentus. 
Seals, Joshua. 
Sinks, Powel. 
Span, P. A. 
Tysen, J.N. 
Tysen, W. S. 
Tucker, R. 
Tinsley, B. M. 
Williams, Theo. 
Williams, J. B. 
Williams, Lewis. 
Wynn, Edward A. 
Workman, H. H. 
Wall, Nathaniel. 
Wall, J. B. 
Young, E. P. 



Roberts, Clay, Captain, 
^lorris, N. M., I'^irst Lieutenant. 
Lisenby, R. B., Second Lieutenant. 
Parker, W. E., Third Lieutenant. 
Outlaw, B. E., Orderly Sergeant. 
^Morris, W. A., Second Sergeant. 



Allen, Henry. 
-Vrthers, J. K. P. 
Blane, Henry. 
Blane, A. C. 
Blane, B. H. 
Boyd, J. G. 
Boyd, P. W. 
Barnett, H. T. 
Bryant, W. H. 
Barnett, J. J. 
Buttbrd, W. S. 
Burns, M. 
Burns, James. 
Brandon, W. M. 
Catchey, M. M. 
Cable, W. D. 
Champion, 
Cross, T. A. 
Cobb, G. A. 



Y. 



Crisp, Alfred. 
Crockerill, C. C. 
Daugherty, J. D. 
Darnell, T. J. 
Dunn, W. B. 
Dunn, A. S. H. 
Dilling, J. C. 
Etheridge, D.F. 
Fielding, S. B. 
Grier, J. W. 
Gray, J. H. 
Hutchinson, John. 
Highsmith, J. W. 
Hcrndon, W. S. 
Herndon, G. W., Sr. 
Herndon, G. W., Jr. 
Hurst, C. C. 
Holly, John. 
Hinson, Wm. 



Branson, I., Captain. 



Jones, W. L. 
Johnson, D. H. 
Kernell, Thomas. 
Lawrence, R. B. 
Lanca.ster, R. L. 
Morgan, Joshua. 
Moore, D. C. 
McClenehan, Joseph 
Murphy, T. J. 
Morris, A. 
McCutchen, W. H. 
Outlaw, G. D. 
Parker, D. 
Runyan, J. E. L. 
Robertson, J. M. 
Robertson, G. C. 
Raudlc, W. P. 
Stone, W. J. 
Stalls, G. W. 
COMPANY D. 

Barnes, J., Third Sergeant. 



Scarbrough, S. D. 
Scarbrough, R. H. 
Smith, B. A. 
Sikes, T. J. 
Thomas, Willie. 
Viekers, W. A. 
Vickers, A. 
Wimberly, J. S. P. 
Waggoner, A. A. 
Woflbrd, R. F. 
Weaver, W. H. 
Wall, Thomas. 
Weaks, R. J. 
Wyatt, Ike L. 
Wilson, R. C. 
Yarborough, N. E. 
Yates, R. N. 



Joliiisdii, J. H., First Lieutenant. 
Outlaw, I). E., Second Lieutenant. 
Howard, .1. P., Tliirtl Lieutenant. 
Caudle, {). W., Orderly Sergeant. 
Bulloek, H. W., Second Sergeant. 

Alexander, George. 
Ariiistead, J. 
Aeiu, J. 
Adams, N. 
BeUamy, R. W. 
Uooth, D. 
Hrantly, J. 
Brantly, W. 
Bailey, G. 
Baibee, George. 
Barbee, Gus. 
Cherry, A. 
Collier, H. 
Council, ^s. 
Chartan, G. 
I>ola. I). 

Hewitt, E. ('apt; 
JNIallory, J. W., 

Brody, J. L. 
Brodie, H. ?«. 
Hrown, \V. II. 
Btek, W. J. 
Burton, K. A. U. 
Beaucliainp, J- 
Barber, G. B. 
Butler, J. 
Berwine, J. 
Chester, .1. K. 
Chester, J. H. 
Co.x, J. H. 
(.'oUins, A. P. 
Doualson, H. U. 
Donaldson, ^v . .\. 
Danville, L. J. 
Dycus, .1. 
Dinwiddle, W. 



S4 
Ht)rn, C, Fourth Sergeant. 
Horn, 1)., First Corporal. 
Uowei-s, B. T., Second CoriHiral. 
Hogan, W., Third Corporal. 
Bayliss, S. "SI., Fourth Corporal. 



Askew. A. W. 
Averett, William. 
Boon, Bright. 
Brook, R. T. 
Breeden, L, O. 
Breeden, J. K. 
Brake, Thonias. 
Brighani, G. F. 
Bradley, E. 
Hatemau, T. W. 
Barnes, W. II. 
Barnes, George. 



Dermau, J. 
Darnel, S. 
Davidson, T. 
Dickson, T. 
Dougherty, S. 
Edmondson, K. 11. 
Evans, A. E. 
Fergu.son, A. 
Foster, M. 
Giilum, J. R. 
Haley, W. 
Halyard, G. 
Hamilton, N. 
Hamilton, W. 
llogan, L. 
l.isenby, F. 

C 

tin. 

First Lieutenant. 

Everett, J. 

Ford, J. .1. 

Gibson, J. S. 

Gold, F. T. 

Gilbert, T. D. 

Graftt)n, R. F. 

Grigg, W. F. 

Godsey, G. H. 

llestei , O. F. 

Hartraan, M. E. 

Hewell, E. B. 

Hewitt, W. 

Herndon, T. 

Ingram, J. C. 

Kello, J. 

King, W. H. 

King. J. W. 

Martin, E. 

t 

\V. E 

Counts, John. 
Cromwell, G. C . 
Daniels, E. B. 
Dudley, C. T. 
Fei Ider, T. J. 
Finih, J. W. 
Finley, J. L. 
(iaskins, Garard. 
Green, John W. 
Hall, J. H. 
llamiitun, N. J. 
Holmes, Robert. 



Luck, L. 
Logsdon, J. 
.Meaeliani, J. 
MeMc'huls. J 
Marshall, C. 
Nortleet, C. 
Noriieet, H. 
O'Neal, W. 
I'( 



gen, J. 



Peragen, M. 
Pbilpot, J. 
Porter, R. .V. 



Rig 



ins, J. 



>mitb, R. 



, No. 1. 



Smith, W., No. L'. 
Smith, T. B. 
Smith, F. 
Smith, J. 
Spencer, F. 
.Stewart, M. 
Thomerson, ,1. 
Trotter, S. Y. 
Tidwell, J. 
Tant, J. 
Vaughan, W. 
Winn, W. 
West, D. 
Yates, G. 
Shepard, W. 
Satterlield, W. 



Sniitl; 
)MPANV H. 

McConibs, W., Second Lieutenant 
Brown, R. J., Third Lieutenant. 



.Madole, B. F. 
MeCormick, N. 
Manson, E. P. 
Mallory, J. R. 
Moore, G. 
Payne, J. M. 
Pritchett, W. E. 
Parker, S. 
l^uisinberry, — 
Quarles, A. .M. 
Robertson, J. D. 
Robei'tson, T. N. 
Rollins, D. H. 
Rollins, J. C. 
Rose, J. H. H. 
Riggins, G. B. 



Ri! 



ins, N..\. 



Ragon, W. C. 
'<).MP.\NV F. 

Lowe, Captain. 

McAuly, G. H. 
.Marshal, W. B. 
.Mc.\skel, Fray. 
McAskel, Henry. 
AIcBride, William 
.Murphy, John. 
Norris, H. B. 
Norris, Robert. 
Newman, Jessie. 
Parrot, F. M. 
Parrot, P. H. D. 
Phillips, B. L. 



Rives, R. F. 
Rives, S. T. 
Rives, W. M. 
Stark, A. 
Slaughter, J. 
Smith, G. N. 
Smith, M. 
Trammel, J. 
Thom.a.s, J. W. 
Trice, J. -M. E. 
Trice, J. E. 
Trice, H. H. 
Trice, H. .\. 
Taylor, S. J. 
TuUy, J.T. 
Wiliford, G. VV. 
Williamson, G. W. 
Wray.J. E. 



Smith, John. 
Stone, J. C. 
JSpudgins, S. E. 
Spudgins, M. E. 
Stavely, B. L. 
Shamwell. J. H. 
summers, C. S. 
Thompson, "W. C. 
Taylor, S. J. 
Wyatt, Charles. 
Wyatt, G. W. 
Washer, James. 



Barnes, Willie. 
Boon, W. H. 
Brake, H. 
<-"lark, Coleman. 
Clark, John. 
Clark, Corben. 
lathey. \V. (i. 



Ilolmes, J. A. 
Jones, W. M. 
King, R. T. 
I.argent, John 
Lane, H. M. 
Lankford, .1 
I.owry. .). H 



11. 



ss 

Rodgers, Washington. 
Rodger.s, A. 
Ross, A. V. 
Smith, S. E. 
Smith, J. I). 
Smith, J. T. 
Smith, W. R. 



Williams, J. L. 
Wilson, W. H. 
Weaver, Lnke. 
Winters, James. 
Winters, T. N. 
Watson, Jerry. 



Biickiu'i', II. ("., Captain. 
Ila-lcT, J. W., First Liputenant. 
Lester, E. I)., Stroml Lieutenant. 
Hargis, H. L., Third Lieutenant. 
Martin, C. L., First Seroreant. 
("ook, L F., Second Sergeant. 



Alberts, James. 
Andrews, W. H. 
Boyle, John. 
Boss, Jethrn. 
B)yd, J. H. 
BidWii, T. .1. 
Brown, T. .M. 
Bwtright, T. P. 
Blount, W. J. 
Boughter, E. S. 
Blancet, Robert. 
( herry, I. M. 
Cherry, Joiuith. 
Clark, R. 
t^lark, W. H. 
t 'unningham. R. 
Coleman, E. W. 
Cook, W. N. 
Childers, Thos. 
Chadwick, M. 



Causey, H. A. 
Councel, James. 
Edwards, J. I,. 
Free, John. 
Koy, John. 
Faikes, Robert. 
F-'ikes, Thomas. 
Harg-s, L. D. 
Hargis. N. P. 
Hart, H. 
Hutts, Rufus. 
Holland, J. A. 
Ilogan, John, 
Hogan, E. A. 
Horn, W. P. 
Johnson, John. 
Knight, F. M. 
Lynn, L. 
Ijankford, L (i. 
Lancaster, Tlioma? 



•AXV <;. 
Palmer, H. J. 
Lewis, W. A. 
Hankins, W. 
Lewis, F. H., 
Ha<rler, C. J., 
Walker, J. W 

Lewis, 1. A. 
I^ck, G. W. 
Largeiit, W. E. 
McCaskell, John 
MeCaskell. Willi; 
MoCoy, Daniel. 
MeKinney, R, 
MoKinney, T>. V. 
Mulhollen, Jno. 
Jlilton, H. 
Moore, L F. 
Moore, E. K. 
Morgan, Andrew 
Nobles, James. 
Nellmus, P. 
Parker. David. 
Pugh, Joshua. 
Page, L J. 
Puckett. E. C. 
Rye, Blount. 



, Third Sergeant. 
, Fourth Sero-eant. 
J., First Corponil. 
Second Corporal. 
Third Corporal. 
., Fourth Corporal. 

Reaves, B. T. W. 
Roach, M. 
Samsel, James. 
Suddarth, A. J. 
im. Sinclair, treorge. 

Settle, John. 
Swinney, Edward. 
Trice, Nathan. 
Taylor, Jan\es. 
Tallon, James. 
Thompson, W. 
Vick, Eaton. 
Walker, I. H. 
Williams, B. 
Wallace, W. 
Woftord, C. W. 
Westerman, Wiley. 
Webster, W. W. 



COMIWN^' H. 



Lowe, W., Captain. 

, First Lieutenant. 

Dale, A. C., Second IJeutenant. 
MuIIoy, J. B., Third Lieutenant. 
Fisher, G. M., First Sergeant. 
Fisher, P. M., Second Sergeant. 



(Glasgow, L. A., Third Sergeant. 
Randolph, J. T., Fourth Sergeant. 
Choate, A. V., First Corixn-al. 
Pollock, P. N., Second Corporal. 
Blackburn, E., Third CorjKiral. 
Thomas, G. H., Fourth Corjtoral. 



.Vppleton, (ieorge. 
.Vnderson, B. F. 
Bibb, R. E. 
Barnes, A. .1. 
Bell, F. M. 
Batts, W. J. 
Brewer, (i. A. 
Baldwin, Thom.-xs- 
Bowen, Mike. 
Byrne, Robert. 
Bloodwirth, J, J. 
Iiraden,(;. W. 
Benson, W. E. 
Benton, C. C. 



Ellison, H. J. 
Fiser, James. 
Green, A. P. 
(iambrell, Joseph. 
Holman, R. B. 
Hardeway, James L 
Haley, John, Jr. 
Highsmith, K. (i. 
Hill, H. C. H. 
Hennessee, Thomas, 
Howard, .1. A. 
Hendley, J. F. 
Hendley, J. L. 
Holman, J. I. 



King, J. A. 
Langford, N. T. 
Line, W. K. B. 
Mowdy, A. J. 
Murphy, R. H. J. 
Mahofley, J. W. 
Matthews, D. 
Murphy, .losiah. 
Matthews, C. J. 
McManus, William. 
Martin, U. F. 
Matthews, R. K. H. 
Mitchell, J. D. 
Newnuin, William. 



Powell, Titus. 
Pepper, James. 
Pith, F. M. 
Pepper, Stephen. 
Rickett, A. H. 
Redder, Lewis. 
Rose, N. C. 
Smith, G. M. 
Simmons, T. N. 
Samuel, A. T. 
Stamback, William. 
Virgin, J. W. 
Waller, W. M, 
Williams, J. T. 



Connell, Thomas O. Hiitchisou, O. B. 

I'arnioii, ('. L>. Haley, John, Sr. 

rrunk, H. C. Irwin, W. B. 

CToftord, T. C. Ingram, Frederick X. 

Dale, (i. H. Jones, J. M. 

Durham, Silas. Justice, W.L. 

Dale, J. M. Kirk, E. C. 

COMl 

Siniiiions, W. P., Captain. 
Henry, J. S., First Lieutenant. 
WintieUl, W. S., Second Lieutenant. 
Randolph, D. W. C, Tliird Lieutenant, 
t'ook, William, First Sergeant. 
C'oitk, W. A., Second Sergeant. 

Armstrong, W. A. Durrett, W. T. 

Adams, Columbus. Dorris, A. G. 

Adams, E. S. Dorris, J. D. 

Appleton, K. H. Dorris, W. A. 

liowliug, A. A. Dorris, H. C. 

Benson, G. A. Dillard, R. A. 

Benson, E. H. England, Calvin. 

Baldwin, R. B. England, Joseph. 

Baldwin, W. H. Elmor, J. J. 

Buber, T. W. Farrell, James. 

Bigbee, Robert. Flood, G. R. 

Cook, J. A. Gilbert, T. H. L. 

I'howning, Richard. Gordon, J. R. 

Crabtree, James. Ilollis, George. 

Chandler, Josiah. HaU, J. W. 

Calhoun, .1. C. Holland, L. ti. 

Cook, Jacob. Henry, A. M. 

Cokes, VVn\. Krisle, P. H. 

I'hoat, Thomas. Iviger, J. M. 

I'rabtree, Charles, Murpliy, J. E. 

COMT. 

Captain 

Adkins, J. C. Dickson. H. .\. 

Adkius, C. C. Davis, W. 1'. 

Brown, J. P. Davis, G. E. 

Brftwn, R. II. Denny, J. J. 

Brown, J. X. Dardon, W. D. D. 

Brown, H. Eliott, Geo. 

Brown, R. S. H. Eliott, D. A. 

Brown, R. L. Gunn, J. H. 

Babbitt, J. A. Guuu, Z. U. 

Barnes, R. A. Gunn, J. \V. 

Bagwell, .J. W. Grant, H. Z. 

Blanton, D. Grant, .\. 

Bowling, T.C. Herring, B \V. 

L lierry, C. I* Herring, J. L. 

tocke, R. JI. Herring, A. A. 

Crotzer, J. X. Herring, D. E. 

Clifton, W. E. Hitt, R. J. 

t'ornwell, E. \V. Hagwood, E. T. 

t'ompany, W. R. Hooper, W. A. 

I 'a-son, S. • Hyland, E. A. 

Collier, W. M. Hollis, W. 



56 

Orr, William. Williams, N. J. 

Owen, E. R. Williams, W. A. 

O'Connor, Pat. Wilkinson, .S. I.,. 

Pike, R. W. Wilson, Kindred. 

Powell, James. York, Jesse J. E. 
Powell, George. 
Powell, Mat. 
AXY I. 

White, T., Third Sergeant. 
Pickard, .J. A., Fourth Sergeant. 
Henry, J, 1)., First Corporal. 
Durrett, 1). L., Second Corporal. 
Baldwin, J. S., Third Corporal. 
Randolph, J. H., Fourth Corporal. 

Murphy, John. Stone, W. .\. 

McMurrey, Vincent. Stone, E. K. 

McMurrey, W. H. Savage, Wm. 

Mc.Murrey, Thos. Solomon, James. 

Mc.Murre.v, Frank. Vault, Frank. 

Murphy, Thomas J. Whiting, W. H. 

Mowdy, Jno. Webster, J. D. 

( iwen, H. J. Webster, S. X. 

Pitt, L. J. Wilson, John. 

Phipps, Wm. Wilson, Joseph. 

Payne. Thos. Warren, E. T. 

Pitt, Jeremiah. Williams, J. C. H. 

Petty, K. JI. Woodward, Perry. 

Pattun, W. c. Wigner, J. X'. 

Porter, Richard. Walker, W.S. 

Rogers, Daniel. Wilson, Ellsha. 

Shoemaker, Thos. Yates, George. 
Sprou.se, G. A. 
Shannon, J. A, 
.^hann<)n, R. S. 
AXY ,1. 

Lockert. 

.IcII, T. C. Rudolph, J. W. 

Jetl. .1. VV. Rudolph, C. T. 
Jett.J. E. . Rosson. J. C. 

Jett, R. W. Smith, G. W. 

Johnson, J. A. Smith, J. T. 

Jenkins, J. D. Smith, B. R. 

Jones, T. H. Shaw, R. H. 

James, J. E. Stephens, .1. H. 

Lockert, J. W. Stephens, E. T. 

Morrison, \V. R. .Sipall, S. B. 

Marshal, D. F. Swift, M. W. 

McGeal, .\. J. Swift, M. M. 

Morgan, C. H. Travis, P.O. 

Payne, .V. W. Tilley, F. J. 

Pride, G.L. Winn, R. M. 

Pierce, I '. H. Woodson, J. X. 

R<igcrs, K. Walker, J. 

Rogers. .M. \-. Wyatt, R. W. 

Rogers, John. Wlllkenson, T. C. 

Ransdal, J. E. Wood, J. A. J. 
Rudolph, P. R. 



Bcauiiioiit, F. S., ('ai)tain. 
iSIfWhirter, F. P., Fii-st Lieuti-naiit. 



57 

CO.MI'AXV K. 

(.'riisliiuaii, J. J., Second Lieutenant. 
>[()((re, W. S., Third Lieutenant. 



Atkins, Isaac. 


Burden, R. 


Leavell. X. L. 


Nichols. John. 


Atkins, Eihvin. 


Cunts, G. A. 


Ligon, J. M. 


Prince. J. A, 


AncU'i'son, Eiigeue B. 


Conrad. Geo. A. 


Lewis, E. H. 


Pritchett, K. \V. 


Ani-liy, J. H. 


Chilton,.!. R. 


Mitchell, E. 


Payne, T. H. 


Allen, M. B. 


Daneey, .las. S. 


Mct'ulloch, R. E. 


Rice, George. 


Avei-ott, William. 


Eddlngs, L.S. 


McCullooh, W. H. 


Ragan, W. H. 


i:r.)ailiUis, T. M. 


Fuller, G. W. 


Moore, Johns. 


Rogers, S. R. 


Hakrr. J. W. 


Franklin, J. E. 


Moore, K. S. 


Riter, W. H. 


Uonrnr. .1. A. 


Freman, B. J. 


Meade, P. J. 


Stance], J. P. 


liarr, .1..I. 


Hendriek, L. W. 


JIaderson, W. B. 


.Soloman, J. E. 


IJakMitinc, B. W. 


Howell, .\ndrew J. 


Munford, W. E. 


.Shackleford, R. A. 


Brinsliiirst. Ed. 


Hurst, John, 


Moody, Boyd. 


Spencer, Geo. H. 


Bigger. T. <;. 


Jackson, K. 


McCauley, W. A. 


Sims, E. H. 


lielotc. ,1. N. 


Johnson, B. W. 


JIadderson, W. .V. 


Tarwater, E. A. 


Box ley, George. 


Jackson, D. C. 


McCall, W. T. 


Thomas, J. N. 


Bra.l.n,.!. P. 


Johnson, R. M. 


McGinnes.J. N. 


Til ley, C. C. 


Bell, :;. C. 


Jackson, H. A. 


McManus, T. 


Weatherford, C. 


lieann.onl, Irwin. 


Johnson, James F. 


Neblett, .V . R. 


Weakley, F. 


Bostlenian, F. 


Kennedy, Roben. 


Norfleet, G. H. 


Ware, Samuel. 


e't.bb, E. B. 


Kirby, T. M. 


Neblett, D. \V. 




Cdlenuin, B. \V. 


Lyons, James. 


Neblett, J. D. 




Chiles, H. A. 


Lands, S.J. 


Neblett, J. J. 





J^/VM the Chronicle of July '^th. 

HO.MK I'RDUUCriON. 

We \isited the foundr)' of Messrs. Whitfield, Bradley & Co., on Commerce street, 
two da}';-; ago, and under Mr. Whitfield's polite attention were shown through the 
establishment and permitted to inspect much of the work now being done there. We 
mentioned some time since that they were casting cannon and balls, and expressed our 
admiration of the character of the work. They are still engaged in turning out these 
arms, and the work is far superior to that of the earlier casting. In the proportions of 
the pieces, in the manner of casting, and in all else there is a vast improvement. They 
were finishing off a si.x-pounder when we were there, which is certainly as fine a speci- 
men of iron guns as cin be made anywhere. These guns are a good deal longer and 
less bulky than the first they made, and are beautifully dressed and polished on the 
outside. The guns can be made of any desired calibre. The same establishment is 
prepared now to turn out different-sized balls, and canister and grape-shot, specimens 
of all which were shown us. For the purpose of executing the work we have spoken 
of more expeditiously, the proprietors recently added very materially to their machin- 
ery, at a large outlay of cash. .Some impatience, we have heard, was manifested at 
the delay in getting ready to do the work we have spoken of, but we feel satisfied that 
it was not well, grounded. Outsiders can have no idea of the amount of preparation 
necessary for it; and then, too, this work was wanted just when a great deal had to be 
done incidental or preparatory to the harvest season, and this being the case, and only 
a limited force of workmen being obtainable, the casting of cannon was necessarily a 
work of some time. Now, however, everything is in working order, and the manu- 



58 
facture of cannon and sliot will go on uninterrii].'tedly as long as there are orders 
to fill. 



ANOTHER HOME-GUARD. 

It is not generally known, we believe, that we have here two t'liU companies of 
home-guards, yet we have. Besides Captain Cobb's company — the " Independent 
Criiards" — we have another named the "Clarksville Guards." This company is now 
full and are having their uniforms made, and will soon be ready for service. Their 
arms will be muskets, if they can be had ; if not, double-barrel shotguns and ball- 
cartridges or buck-shot. The principal officers are W. W. Valliant, Captain ; T. M. 
Atkins, First Lieutenant; W. C. Barksdale, Second Lieutenant; R. D. McCauley, 
Third Lieutenant. 

From f/ic Clironuic of July \2th. 

OUR RK.(;iME.VT DFFI 

Colonel Forbes' regiment, which has been enjoying the sweets of masterly inact- 
ivity at Camp Quarles for several weeks past, received, yesterday, the long-hoped-for 
order to strike their tents and inardi '. This order was most gladly received by the 
regiment, affording as it did a prospect for active participation in our struggle for liberty 
and independence. A good many of the men came in yesterday to see their friends 
and bid them good-bye. Many an eye undimmed by tears for long years before wept 
yesterday, as the gallant soldier's sun-burned hand was pressed ; and many a voice, un- 
used to tremble under emotions of sympathy or love, faltered and went dumb as it 
essayed the trying word — Farewell ! How many of these, our loved friends and kin- 
dred, are to meet death in the shock and smoke of battle none can tell. This, though, 
we know, that no fear of death will unnerve their heart or hand — no coward's doom 
awaits their name. On! then, gallant friends and brothers I Loving hearts, with 
earnest prayers to the God of battles, will follow you to bivouac and field ! On ! gal- 
lant men, and remember that, living or dead, glory awaits the brave I The regiment 
left this morning. 



Quite a number of soldiers from different sections have quartered near New Prov- 
idence at what they are pleased to term Camp Martin, as a compliment to our energetic 
commissary, George D. Martin. The citizens of that neighborhood, and those of Ken- 
tucky, near the border, will, no doubt, see that they are well cared for. 



THE niXIE BLUES. 



This gay-looking little company now numbers forty-five, and they are anxious to 
swell the list to eighty. We would be gratified to see this gallant little band supplied 
with good guns, for in an emergency they would make the Yankees "bite the dust," 
and prove themselves the noble progeny of Southern sires. 



59 
From the Chrotiidc of July \gfh. 

BREAKING UP CAMP. 

As announced in our last issue, the regiment of Tennessee Volunteers at Camp 
Quarks left that ])lace for some destination, not then made known, on last Friday. 
They struck their tents on Thursday afternoon, and expected to leave early on Friday 
niorniiig', but they did not get off until evening. The sick of the regiment were left 
behind, being too sick to go on then, but they will rejoin their respective companies as 
soon as their health is sufficiently restored. Such, however, was the anxiety of the 
boys to get off and see service, that several who were on the sick list, when marching 
orders arrived, got up, on hearing of them, and persistently declared themselves well. 
A goodly number of the kindred and friends of the men went out to the camp Thursday 
evening, to bid them good-bye and God-speed on their perilous mission. We were 
among those who went out, and upon reaching the camp, at about eight o'clock, we 
found that nearly all the tents had been struck and the men were busily engaged pack- 
ing up for the march. They were all in high spirits with the prospect of active opera- 
tions against the enemy, and all of them expressed a desire, when they should go into 
action, to be in the front rank. Should these gallant boys engage in battle, as they 
almost surely will, many, many of them, we fear, will fall. Such is their eagerness for 
the contest, and their determination to do valliantly in the fight, that they do not seem 
to know even prudential restraint. 



ClOOD. 

George W. Hampton, Esq., upon whose lands Colonel Forbes' Regiment was, 
until recently, encamped, gives us a very gratifying account of the conduct of the 
conduct of the soldiers. The camp was in sight of his house, his orchard, barn-yard, 
pig-pens and chicken-roosts, and yet Mr. Hampton says he never knew, or had cause 
ts suspect, any of the men of being guilty of any depredation on his property, or any 
ungentlemanly disorder, during the five or six weeks they were there. While Mr. 
Hampton speaks thus highly of the conduct of the soldiers, they, as one man, bear 
testimony to the uniform courtesy and kindness that they met at his hands. Nothing 
that he could do for their comfort or convenience was left undone. It gives us very 
great pleasure to know that such agreeable relations subsisted between the parties. 



E.XCUSAHLE. 

Now and then we saw, at Camp Quarles, when the regiment were preparing to 
leave, a soldier with a sad face ; but, in nearly every such case, we could confidently 
associate it with some fair, fond girl, the farewell pressure of whose soft hand was yet 
felt, and the glow of whose good-bye kiss (we hope) was yet warm upon his lips. We 
do hope that every girl, whose lover left with our regiment, gave him a kiss at parting, 
as a foretaste of the happiness he might win, and then told him that if he bore himself 
nobly and bravely in the fight, the entire treasirre of her lips and heart should be his 
for life 1 Such a kiss, and such words, would thrill and nerve the soldier's heart through 



6o 

the smoke, and flame, and battle of a year's campaign ; and one regiment of Tennes- 
seans, thus incited to deeds of daring, would drive Lincoln's best ten thousand back to 
the St. Lawrence ! We know the potent spell of a fresh warm kiss, and hope that many 
of our boys went forth armed with it. 

From tlie Clnvinch- of fiil\ 26///. 

ADDRKSSKS. 

'I'he following are the addresses on the occasion of the presentation of a flag by 
the ladies of Clarksville to Captain Beaumont's Company at Camp Quarles: 

Captain Beaumont : To me has been assigned the pleasure of presenting this flag 
to you and the gallant volunteers under your command. In performing this duty, my 
heart is filled with mingled emotions of pride and pleasure, sadness and gloom. It is 
jjleasing to compliment the brave, it is pleasing to behold the self-sacrificing patriotism 
that impels the soldier to exchange the joys and comforts of home and the social-circle, 
for the rough fare of the camp, and the dangers of the battlefield; it is pleasing to know 
there are so many stout arms and bold hearts, to drive back the presumptious invader 
of our soil and secure our beloved South in the inallienable rights fought for and won 
by our revolutionary fathers, which the worse than British tyranny of the North would 
meet from our hands. While these reflections fill the heart with exulting pride and 
pleasure, who can contemplate, without a feeling of awe and sadness, the "horrid front 
of grim visaged war," with its attendant train of carnage, conflagration and want? 
Who can look without sorrow upon his beloved country, rent by fierce dissensions and 
torn with bloody strife? Who can see. without a feeling of melancholy regret, the dire 
necessity that forces the South to appeal to arms and trust her fortunes to the God of 
battles. Dark and gloomy as this picture is, there are worse calamities that may befall 
a nation than any or all these evils. To men born free the loss of life is better than the 
loss of honor; a scanty subsistence dug from the earth, better than the richest viands 
from the hands of a master, and a free home in the houseless wilderness, better than a 
gorgeous palace with chains and slavery. It is for the freedom of your country, aye, 
for the hope of freedom to the world, that you are struggling. When the usurper who 
now desecrates the Presidential chair, once the honored seat of Washington and Jack- 
son, issued his proclamation on the 13th of April, calling forth the military strength of 
the North, to march against the free sons of the South, he arrogated to himself powers 
never granted by the framers of the government, or the legislative body of the nation. 
He contemptuous violated the laws of the land, he trampled the Constitution beneath 
his feet, and the glorious flag of our country, once the emblem of national unity, 
national greatness, and national freedom, polluted by the touch of a tyrant, became in 
his hands the ensign of despotism. The country of Washington was no longer free; 
but the spirit of Washington was still abroad in the land, and instilled the life blood of 
freedom into the Southern heart. While the Genius of Liberty ^was weeping bitter 
tears, over the sad scenes around her, and pluming her wings to fly forever from the 
shores of .\merica, she turned her eyes to the South and beheld ten millions of tVee- 
men. with out-stretched arms, beckoning her to a place of rest in their midst. She saw 



6i 

he signal and now the South is her home. Her temjjle shall be reared upon the soil 
of the South, her votaries shall be the sons and daughters of the South, thronging with 
earnest zeal to her sacred shrine, and from the loftiest dome of her proudest temple the 
flag of the South shall float forever. In her glorious cause the gallant sons of Tennessee 
rushed to arms. Nobly have they vindicated the character of the Volunteer State. 
They were born to be free, they are free, and they will be free. In all this mighty 
rush for freedom, none have shown more alacrity than the Clarksville Ninety-Ones, none 
have made greater sacrifices upon the altar of their country. It is a token of esteem 
for you as gentlemen and citizens, and admiration for your self-sacrificing devotion to 
a just and holy cause, that I am directed, by the ladies of Clarksville, to present you 
this flag. It is the work of our own hands, and we confide it to you, with every 
assurance it will never be dishonored as long as there is a right arm in your ranks to 
bear it aloft. 

Take thy banner, may it wave 

Proudly o'er the good and brave. 

Take thy banner ; and beneath 

The war-cloud's encircling wreath, 

Guard 'till our homes are free. 

Guard it — God will prosper thee ! 

In the dark and trying hour. 

In the breaking forth of power. 

In the rush of steeds and men. 

His right arm will shield thee then. 

RESPONSE OF CAPTAIN BEAUMONT. 

J/rs. G. : Allow me, as the organ of the company I have the honor to command, 
to tender to you and through you to those whom you represent, our acknowledgments 
of most profound gratefulness, for this beautifully wrought ensign, as a testimonial of 
that encouraging approbation which ever succeeds your sex's conviction of right. The 
complimentary terms in which you have been pleased to express yourself towards my 
company, are duly appreciated. It is the highest ambition of the brave to deserve well 
of the fair. Let me assure you that the confidence reposed in us by the donors of this 
elegant ensign, in deeming us worthy the honor of bearing the work of their delicate 
hands into the din and smoke of battle, is not misplaced. I know the gentlemen who 
compose the company under my command. I will not say they are the "bravest of 
tho brave," for that would be disparaging to others. But they 'are as brave as the 
bravest, and I do them nothing more than justice (and at the same time, pay them the 
highest compliment) in saying they are worthy of this manifestation of your regard, and 
they will bear this beautiful flag with honor to themselves and credit to the ladies of 
Clarksville. The nature of the contest in which we are now engaged, so graphically 
described by you, is enough of itself to cite us to arms and prepare our hearts for deeds 
of high and noble daring. It is enough for Tennesseans to know their soil is to be 
invaded, their rights to be infringed, the sanctity of their homes to be profaned, and 



62 

that their liberties are endangered. When evils such as these are pending over them, 
the hardy mountaineer, with his deadly rifle, forsakes his highland home, the toiling 
farmer abandons his fertile fields, fat flocks and lowing herds. The merchant shuts 
u|j his ledger and deserts his counting room, the mechanic leaves his forge and throws 
away his hammer, to seek the camp and take up arms to resist the aggression, and 
humble the proud invaders in the dust. In the insane policy of the Black Republican 
President and his unscrupulous advisers, by which the country is plunged into this 
dreadful war, we have all these incentives to stimulate us to action. For years we have 
endured the insolence of the Northern press, and the insults of Black Republican Sena- 
tors and Representatives in Congress. As long as words were the weapons they chose 
to employ against us, we were content to leave the game in their own hands. But 
now, when we are threatened with subjugation and slavery, when they would despoil 
us of our homes and reduce us to the condition of menials, we would be untrue to our 
ancestral fame were we to fold our arms and meekly bow at the feet of Lincoln and 
sue for life at the hands of his miscreant cohorts. Our fathers, noble Tennesseans, 
who rolled back the tide of despotism and fertilized the soil of King's Mountain with 
their blood, would disown us ; the heroes who strewed the ground at New Orleans with 
the dead bodies of the haughty Britons, in defense of our rights, would desp'se us; the 
Patriot of the Hermitage, our own immortal Jackson, would scowl and scorn upon us, 
if Tennessee should refuse to stand side by side and shoulder to shoulder with the land 
of Washington in the defense of life, liberty and honor, against the usurpations of a 
Black Republican tyrant. The people of Tennessee were slower than their more im- 
petuous brethren of the Gulf States in assuming a hostile attitude towards the North. 
^^'e could not believe the Northern States were lost to every sense of right and justice. 
\\'e hoped the excitement incident to a heated Presidential contest would soon subside 
and that we should gain from sober reason the rights that party into.xication refused to 
concede. 

We thought we could safely appeal from the selfishness of political tricksters 
at the National Capitol to the disinterested patriotism of the masses of the people. For 
a long time we indulged the fond dream of hope. We hugged the delusive phantom 
to our breasts, until our enemies had almost "bound us hand and foot." How sadly 
have we been deceived? Relying upon their numerical strength, and the imaginary 
su|)eriority of this circumstance was supposed to give them over the South, they stub- 
bornly refu.sed to make those concessions so essential to our security and repose. Blind 
arrogance, foolish infatuation ! Go learn from the batteries at Acquia Creek that the 
race is not always to the swift. Go to Great Bethel and learn the battle is not always 
to the strong. "Thrice is he armed who liath his quarrel just." In defense of life 
and liberty each man is in himself a host. \Vith the sword, justice for our weapon, and 
the panoply of truth for our shield, we go forth to battle like the young shepherd of 
Israel, with a firm reliance that the righteous God will deliver the (liant of the North 
into our hands. In such a contest as this who can withhold his hands ? Who can 
shrink from the approach of the enemy? 



63 

Who can be a traitor's knave? . 

Who so base as be a slave? 

Wlio would fill a coward's grave? 
Let him turn and flee. 
To the "Ninety-Ones" you and the ladies of Clarksville have given an additional in- 
centive to deeds of patriotic valor. Werever thy fate of war may call us, so long as a 
.single shred of this flag remains above our heads, we will know that we have kind and 
appreciating friends at home to fell an interest in our achievements. We will return 
this banner to you when our work is accomplished, untarnished, unspotted, and un- 
stained. The remembrance of the fair hands that arranged and fashioned it, will 
inspire us with fresh courage, and rather than return to you with our honor less pure 
than the middle bar of this flag, the ground shall be made as red with our blood as its 
outer bars. 

Fiotn tlic Chronicle of August 2nd. 

N.\TURAL HISTORY. 

The Lincoln soldier: An animal that bears a strong physical resemblance to a 
white man. Believes strong in niggers. Habits — stealing watches, burning houses, 
and whipping sick women. His religion — the freedom of the nigger. Combative in 
theory, but when he gets hold of a gun — the animal's legs go off before the gun does. 
His powers of endurance are remarkable — in fact more'n a camel's — recent discoveries 
having shown him capable of traveling, under a July sun, twenty-seven miles in three 
hours without water. His chief resort and feeding-ground is a tract of land in Amer- 
ica known as the District of Columbia, from whence he rarely ventures ; yet has been 
known to go to a place called Manassas, but returned so suddenly that it is inferred 
that something down there scared the creetur out of the use of every faculty, except 
that of his lecjs. He won't go back ! 



LETTER FRDM OUR BOYS. 

Our friend John O'Brien received, on Tuesday, a letter from his brother Edwin, 
who is a member of Captain Harrel's company, in Colonel Forbes' regiment, from 
which we are permitted to gather important news of "our boys " since they left Haynes- 
ville, East Tennessee. From Haynesville the regiment went to Lynchburg, Va. , 
where they rested a day or two. Here they saw many of the gallant fellows who were 
wounded at Manassas, and learned from them the story of that terrible fight. Here, 
too, they saw hundreds of the handcuffs that the Lincoln army took to Manassas to 
manacle the rebels ! From Lynchburg our regiment went to Arlington (where Ed. 
wrote) and there were waiting for trains to take them to Staunton. Their destination 
was evidently Western Virginia, 

From the Chronicle of August <)th. 

RAILROAD ACCIDENT. 

.\ letter from Captain Lockert, of the Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment, to his 
uncle, of this city, gives an account of a railroad accident at McDonald's Station, near 



64 
Cleveland, by which some of the soldiers of the regiment were more or less injured. 
The train was stationary, taking in a supply of wood, when the freight train at full 
speed ran into it. .\mong the most injured are Perry Woodward, of Captain Sim- 
mons' company, Robertson county, who was severely cut on the head and face ; John 
M. Howard, of Paducah, Kentucky, contusion of the thigh; J. A. Hadley, of Captain 
Rutledge's artillery, wrist dislocated; D. G. Herring, of Red River company, badly 
stunned; L. B. Sugg, of Captain Russell's company, arm broken near the wrist; J. L. 
Jean, of Captain Rutledge's artillery, chest bruised and ankle sprained ; and Isham 
Devose, of same company, injured in the hip and ankle. Some others were more 
slightly hurt, but of the whole number injured only three were left behind as unable to 
continue the journey. The accident happened on the 2d inst. , and the engineer of the 
freight train ran off into the woods immediately after the collision, thus giving rise to 
the suspicion that he was guilty of gross negligence, if not of a criminal design against 
the lives of the soldiers. The soldiers spoken of were some who had been detained by 
sickness, and they, with some recruits, were going on under charge of Captain Lockert 
to join the regiment. 



If any of our young ladies have a lover in the army we hope they will write to him 
every chance they get. Write and encourage him, and tell him how you think about 
him and pray for him at nights, and how proud you'll feel to see him come back with 
-his Colonel's "well done, lirave fellow!'' written on his discharge, and how you'll 
"have him," then, in sjjite of — well, of thunder! Such a letter would do him a heap 
of good. 

From the Chronicle 0/ Ani:;iist i6t/i. 

MILITIA ELECTION. 

In another place will be found Sheriff Raimey's order for an election of Colonel of 
the Ninety-First Regiment, vice F. S. Beaumont, resigned. This election will be held 
on the last day of this month, and as no one has yet been anuounced for the office, we 
beg to suggest the name of Dr. Joshua Cobb for it. Dr. Cobb is a regular graduate of 
West Point, is thoroughly "rubbed up" now in military tactics, and fully imbued with 
the martial and patriotic spirit of the times. He is, we think, the very man for the 
place, and we respectfully urge the regimental voters to elect him. 
From the Chronicle of August 2,0th. 

.•\K.MV CORRESPONDENCE. 

Vtu; Spring, \.\., August 19th, 1861. — To the friends and relatives of the differ- 
ent members of my company I desire, through this medium, to advise them of our 
position, etc. We are now encamped at Big Spring, Randolph county, ^'a., with the 
First and Seventh Regiments, Colonels Maney and Hatton, and compose the First 
Tennessee Brigade, General S. R. .Anderson. We reached this place just eleven days 
since, after a walk of seventy miles through the most mountainous region of country I 
have ever had the pleasure of traversing. Before starting out on our march numerous 



6s 

ex[)ressions of opinion were heard, fearing that the "Ninety-Ones" would not be able 
to stand its hardships because of their having lived too much in stores, etc. But ex- 
perience has clearly demonstrated that our town boys can endure more privation and 
bodily exertion than the other companies in the regiment. This fact is admitted by 
every one with whom the subject has been broached. We have had comparatively but 
little sickness in our camp and as yet none of a serious nature. At Lynchburg we left 
John Stancil and William Duy, and learn they are getting along well; and at Millboro, 
Isaac Atkins, Ralph Carding (both of whom rejoined us yesterday in company with 
Mr. William Ware, of Clarksville) and Morris Johnson. The latter was quite sick with 
measles, but am happy to say has entirely recovered and will rejoin us when his 
physician thinks it prudent. Gus Tarwater is suffering a little with neuralgia in the 
right side of his face, but is improving every hour. R. W. Jackson is sick with a cold 
but goes about camp as usual, and with Tuck and the redoubtable Pete Johnson, these 
three keep the habitation of the "Ninety-Ones" in a merriment that would surprise 
any one aware of the comforts and luxuries we have left at home, in exchange for the 
privations of a soldier's life. 

Since leaving Camp Quarles the following promotions from the ranks of the 
"Ninety-Ones" have taken place: H. A. Jackson, Drum-Major; R. C. Bell, Sergeant- 
Major; F. Bostleman, Colonel's Orderly; R. E. McCulloch, Second Sergeant; Ed H. 
Lewis, Quartermaster's Sergeant ; John J. Barr, Company Clerk. The very responsi- 
ble office of Color-Bearer to the regiment was tendered to Corporal James E. Johnson, 
but declined by him because the army regulations would not permit him to select all of 
his color guards from our company. We expect to leave this place in two days, ad- 
\ancing upon the enemy, who is stationed about eighteen miles from us, and eight or 
nine miles this side of Huttonsville. He is said to be pretty well fortified on a part of 
Clieat Mountain, but it seems to be the general impression in the brigade that in less 
than a week we will see the town of Huttonsville. Our forces are really anxious for a 
fi:^ht, and when we do get into one there will be a regular old-fashioned foot-race be- 
tween the Yankee Generals and their soldiers. As we will no doubt soon be in an 
engagement, I desire to respond to the many persons who have written to me, asking 
that in the event of their relatives falling on the field of battle, their remains be re- 
turned to Clarksville. You may rest assured everything that can possibly be done to 
grant your request I and my lieutenants, if we be spared, will certainly do. We will 
be, if in an engagement, nearly ninety miles from a railroad, to which we have access 
only by a dirt road that runs up and down mountains nearly every foot of the way, and 
tliat road is now almost impassible owing to the heavy rains recently fallen, and the 
large amount of hauling over it for the army. Apd the country is very sparsely settled 
by a class of inhabitants totally unaccustomed to and devoid of the most ordinary con- 
veniences of our own citizens. I interrogated a citizen living two miles from our camp 
as to the facilities for procuring coffins when they rec[uired them in the neighborhood. 
He replied that they had no difficulty whatever in obtaining such things ; that there 
was a little town called Edny, twenty-three miles distant, just across the mountain. 



66 

wlierc tliey were supplied with such articles. I sincerely hope that we may not have 
use for the above article during the campaign, but in the event we do, I will again say 
that //(' trouble or expense shall be spared in procuring transportation for any of my 
slain, if to be had at all. All articles sent to Mr. Hiram Tarwater, at my store, put u|) 
in as small tiundles as possible, for any one of either my company or Captain Harrell's, 
or indeed for any one of the regiment, will meet with transportation by the loth day of 
September. The government has made arrangements as above. We an.xiously look 
for Sim Rogers, Frank Weakly, Robert Childs and the other boys we left behind sick. 
I hope they have entirely recovered. Will furnish you with an account of any engage- 
ment we may get into immediately thereafter. Very respectfully, 

C.\PT. Fr.-\nk S. Bk.\L"MONT. 



A GENEROUS PROPOSAL. 

Owx friend McCormac, ever ready to do a good thing, and anxious now to do 
something for our boys in Virginia, very generously proposes to donate the entire pro- 
ceeds of a week's photographing to the fund now being raised to procure winter cloth- 
ing for the soldiers of Colonel Forbes' regiment. This is a very liberal proposition, and 
if the people in our town and county will meet it as they ought, a very considerable 
sum will be realized. Photographs only will be taken, as Mr. Mac. hasn't the stock to 
spare for other pictures. They are the best pictures and cost but little more than 
others. He will commence next Monday, and every dollar taken in thus for a week 
will go to the soldiers' clothing fund. Let ever\'body now get their photograph. Keep 
him busy all the time. Work him hard ! 



MIXUTE MEN ELECTION. 

.\ election of officers of the regiment of minute men was held on the 17th inst., 
and resulted as follows; Colonel, Cyrus A. Sugg; Lieutenant-Colonel, W. B. Mum- 
ford; ^L^jor, V. M. Metcalfe; Adjutant, Charles Lockert ; Quartermaster, John L. 
Power; Color -Sergeant, Hines Ewing; Surgeon, Dr. R. D. McCauley; Assistant Sur- 
geon, Dr. Ben Kirby. In the other regiment the following officers were elected : W. 
W. Valliant, Colonel; Thomas M. Reynolds, Lieutenant-Colonel; S. A. Caldwell, 
^L^jor; T. T. Harper, Adjutant; Dr. J. M. Jackson, Surgeon. 



THE LADIES AT WORK. 

The ladies of Clarksville have organized a society to co-operate with the Soldiers' 
Aid Society organized at the Court House last week, and have gone to work in good 
earnest. Mrs. Tompkins is President of the society ; Mrs. Malone and Mrs. Haskins, 
Vice-Presidents ; Mrs. M. Stacker, Secretary ; and Mrs. Galbraith, Treasurer. The 
society are now at work every day making up winter clothing for our men in Vir- 
ginia. 



67 
From the Clironiclc of Scptnnbcr bill. 

KLECTION. 

We are happy to announce that Dr. Joshua Cobb has been elected Colonel of the 
Ninety-First Regiment of Tennessee militia, and knowing his firmness and practical 
good sense, we hope for a speedy unravelling of the tangled web which the Home Guard 
of Minute Men system has prepared for him. The militia may discard the delusion 
that they can neither be drafted or ordered out of the county because they belong to 
the minute men — a me|e police system that never contemplated the enlistment of men 
beyond the number necessary for a patrol duty. Montgomery has to raise her quota 
of the reserved corps, and if the people do not volunteer to that extent they will be 
drafted. This is the plain English of it. 

From the Chronicle of September 1 3///. 

The chasing of steamers up the Cumberland by Lincoln's gun-boats alarms many 
here for the safety of Clarksville, and many are the conjectures as to when and how the 
attack may be made. Our opinion is that there is not the least danger here, and the 
reasons for such impression are well founded. In the first place it is universally con- 
ceded that Memphis is safe, and as Memphis is the State, and the State is Memphis, 
it follows that the safety of the latter implies the safety of Clarksville as well as of every 
other point in Tennessee. Nothing could more satisfactorily illustrate the great military 
ability of the "powers that be" than the fact that they made the invaluable discovery 
that the protection of Memphis, in an extreme corner of the State, gives security to its 
whole territory. 

Hut, say some, the gun-boats may come up the Cumberland. We guess not. 
Tiiere are two cannon down about the State line, and two somewhere above. We 
know not their size, but those who planted them believe they are large enough to take 
care of themselves, and the general impression is that if the gun-boats come up to the 
battery, the guns will certainly .!;v) off, an that somebody will be hurt — and, most likely, 
the parties who have to foot the bill. Others fear that a Lincoln force may come upon 
us by way of the railroad ; but they seem to forget that, by leaving the draw of the 
bridge open, the enemy will be precipitated into the river whether they come from the 
one direction or the other. This dead-fall secures the safety of Clarksville, and this 
assurance may be made doubly sure by informing the enemy that there is a battery on 
F'ranklin street, securely housed to keep it from going off, and any amount of minute 
men in the county, armed by — nature, di-illed by the same, and organized by accident. 
Clarksville is in no danger so long as Memphis is safe, and its citizens may sleep 
soundly under the protection of the marvelous concatenation of circumstances above 
mentioned. The eye of sleepless vigilance is iipon Memphis. 
From the Chronicle of September 20th. 

FOR OUR BOYS. 

The Soldiers' .\id Society shipped from here, last Saturday, by railroad, about 
twenty large bo.xes filled with winter clothing for our boys in Virginia. The clothing 
consists of suits of jeans pants (well lined) linsey shirts and draw-ers, and yarn socks, 



68 

together with overcoats, vests, boots, gloves, &c — all the gratuitous contr-bution of the 
generous men and women of this town and county, Mr. John Barnes took charge of 
the goods at Nashville, and will go through with them in about fifteen days from the 
time they left. 

From the CItrcnuic of September 27///. 

full! 

Captain Tom Beaumont's rifie company is now full, having ninety good men. 

The following are the principal officers: Captain, T. W. Beaumont; First Lieutenant, 

Chris Robertson ; Second Lieutenant, William Allen ; Third Lieutenant, James Ramey. 

This company will go into active service as soon as their uniforms are made up. 



SICK SOLDIERS. 

Upon the breaking up of Camp Boone and Camp Breckenridge, the sick of both 
were brought here, and McClure's old warehouse was turned into a hospital for them. 
There are a good many sick men there — how many we do not know, as we have not 
had time to visit them as we wished to do ; and we would ask for them such attention 
from our citizens as their wants may require. We would be glad to see the ladies visit 
the hospital and see what is needed there to render the sick comfortable and aid their 
convale.scence. 

From the Chroniele of October ^th. 

DEATH OK .\ SDLDIER 

We are deeply pained to have to announce the death of James M. Urane, son of 
Dr. W. W. Drane, of this county, and a member of Company A, Colonel Forbes' 
Regiment, which occured in West Virginia about ten days ago. His disease, we 
believe, was typhoid fever, of which an elder brother, also in Company A, was very 
ill, and from which he has not entirely recovered. Dr. Drane went to Virginia, a few 
weeks ago, to visit his sons, and while there did very great service, as we learn by our 
letters, in ministering to the sick in camp. Dr. Johnson, the surgeon of the regiment, 
being himself laid up at the time with an attack of fever. Among these sick were Dr. 
Drane's two sons, Hugh and James, one of whom he is bringing home an invalid, and 
the other, alas ! a corpse I This is indeed a heavy blow to the devoted father and 
mother, one whose weight none but they can know. They have we feel assured, the 
heart-felt sympathy of the whole community; and this, with the knowledge that the 
life of their boy was given to his country, should lighten, in some sort, the weight of 
their sorrow. 

From the Chroniele of October nth. 

DEATH OK CAPTAIN F. S. BEAUMONT. 

The sad intelligence of the death of Captain Frank Beaumont, of Company H, 
Fourteenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, reached his friends here, by telegraph, on 
Wednesday night. No particulars concerning his decease were given, but letters re- 
ceived previously had prepared his friends to expect the sad tidings. He died at the 
Warm Springs, in Bath county, Virginia, whither he had gone some three or four weeks 



69 

])efore, sick with typhoid fever. Captain Beaumont's wife and father and other rela- 
tives and friends were with him in nearly all of his illness, and thus the horrors of dying 
far away from home were in a great degree mitigated by their presence and kindly 
ministrations. The remains will arrive here in a few days. 



NEW COMPANIE.S. 

Captain R. S. Payne, R. L. Johnson and Rice Oldham are raising a volunteer 
company, under our Ciovernor's recent proclamation. They want about forty more 
men. They e.xpect to go into camp very soon at Jordan's Springs, in District No. 4. 
Parties desiring to join may address either of the gentlemen named, at Woodlawn, in 
this county. Captain Cyrus Sugg and Lieutenant John B. I )ortch have been recruiting 
in District No. i, and have their company nearly made up, we believe. It will he a 
tip-top company, and any one who may wish to join it should address or apply to Cap- 
tain Sugg or Lieutenant Dortch at Tait's Station. 



STAFF OFFICERS. 

Colonel Cobb, of the Ninety-First Regiment, has appointed the tollowing officers 
to constitute his staff: John W. Williamson, Adjutant; J. B. Killebrew, Regimental 
Quarter-Master; Dr. R. S. Ware, Surgeon; T. H. Hyman, Sergeant-Major; George 
J. McCauley, Judge .\dvocate; James L. Glenn, Provosi Marshal. 
From the C/ironide of October iSt/i. 

NEWS OF THE FOURTEENTH. 

Our townsman, Mr. William Ware, arrived home on Monday night from Western 
Virginia, whither he had been on a visit to his son, and to the boys generally, of the 
Fourteenth. Mr. Ware has been in the camp for some two months, engaged in nurs- 
ing the sick and otherwise ministering to the comfort of the regiment, and did a great 
deal of good in that way. He says the boys are pretty well used up with the hard 
service they have seen there, a great many of them being totally unfit for duty. We 
have been shown by our friend, John O'Brien, a letter from his brother Edwin, dated 
Warm Springs, October 8th, which contains, we believe, the latest intelligence. Major 
Brandon succeeds Colonel Gholson as Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, and Captain 
Harrel, of Company A, succeeds Brandon as Major. Lieutenant Waggener would take 
Major Harrel's place, as Captain of Company A. Lieutenant McWhirter, of Com- 
pany H, has resigned, and Captain Beaumont being dead. Lieutenant Jas. J. Crusman 
takes command. Dr. Johnson, Surgeon of the regiment, and Dr. Martin, his assistant, 
had both resigned. Altogether, our regiment was greatly changed and much broken 
up by sickness, deaths and resignations, but the, brave fellows who are left were sus- 
tained by the same determined spirit that has ever animated them. 



FUNERAL OF CAPTAIN BEAUMONT. 

The remains of the late Captain Frank S. Beaumont arrived here on o'clock train 
Tuesday evening, and were received at tbe depot by a committee of Odd Fellows, of 



^o 

which order he had long been a member, and were by them escorted to his late resi- 
dence, corner of Franklin and Third streets. The box containing the body could not 
be opened, and thus the anxious desire of hundreds of his friends, once again to look 
upon his face, was necessarily denied them. The hour of the funeral was fixed at three 
o'clock p. m., and, at the request of the family, its conduct was undertaken by the 
Odd Fellows. During the morning the coffin was literally co\ ered with bouquets of 
the richest and rarest flowers, tributes paid by unknown hands to the lamented dead. 
At the hour of two o'clock all the business houses in town were closed, and people 
began to asseml)le at the house from all ([uarters. In a short time thereafter Pythagoras 
Lodge ot Odd Fellows, followed by the Independent Guards, came up and, marching 
past the house, then counter-marched to the front of it, where the military took their 
position in the street and the Odd Fellows entered the yard. By. this time the house, 
the yard, and the streets were nearly filled by people on foot and in carriages, yet the 
utmost good order prevailed, and every one seemed deeply impressed with the solem- 
nity of the sad scene. Religious services were conducted in the house by Rev. J. B. 
West, and after they were concluded the body was brought out and placed in the 
hearse, the coffin still being covered with flowers, and bearing also the crimson velvet 
regalia of a Past Grand, the insignia of the rank of the deceased as an Odd Fellow. 
The procession was formed on Franklin street, the Odd Fellows occupying the front, 
followed by the hearse with four pall-bearers on each side. After the hearse came the 
, Independent Guards, under Colonel Cobb, in full dress, and making a fine display. 
Following the military were the family and immediate friends of the deceased, in car- 
riages, and that a long line of citizens generally, in carriages and horseback, together 
with scores of people on foot. In this order, to the solemn music of muffled drum, the 
procession moved down Franklin street to Second, and out Second to the City Ceme- 
tery. Arrived there, the military took a position on one side of the grave while the 
Odd Fellows formed a circle around it, and lowered the body into the vault. The cus- 
tomery service of the order was read by the Chaplain, each brother threw into the grave 
his sprig of immoricUe — their emblem of life after death — the military fired their farewell 
volley, the grave was closed, and the gallant soldier left to that dreamless sleep that 
only the Arch-Angel's trump can disturb. Thus has passed away our friend and 
brother, Frank Beaumont. We had known him long and well, but we feel in no mood 
now, to utter over his grave the eulogy of words. Let the story of how much he was 
loved be told by the avenging hands of his brave comrades on the fields of Virginia. 
Always full of military ardor, he was among the very first to answer his country's call, 
when the alarm of war was sounded in the Volunteer State. By his own personal 
exertions, he raised a company, and was made their Captain, and became a part of the 
Fourteenth Regiment. They were sent into Western Virginia, where, as is well known, 
they have suffered a campaign unparalleled in this war, for its hardships. Captain 
Beaumont was stricken down by that scourge of the camp, typhoid lii\^x, and died at 
the Warm Springs, in Bath county, on the 6th of the present month. He has been 
rut down in the ])rime of life, full of the hopes and ungratified ambition of a soldier, 



71 

yet he met death calm, unmurmering, resigned; and though he fell nor as he would 
have wished to fall, yet his name will ever have a high place among the thousands 
whose gallant lives were given to their country. 

From tlu Chronicle of Xo'oembcr \st. 

THE ENEMY. 

Intelligence" was received here, on Wednesday, from an entirely reliable source, 
that Federal troops had crossed Green river at two points below Bowling Green, Mor- 
gantown and Woodbury. It was not known in what force they had crossed, nor 
whether they were onlj- scouting parties or troops on a forward move; yet the fact of 
their crossing the river should awaken in every Southern rights man in Tennessee and 
Southern Kentucky the utmost vigilance. Let every man be on his guard. Be ready 
for the hireling cutthroats, whenever, and however, they may come. Keep your gun 
loaded and your knife sharpened, and be ready at a moment's notice to use them upon 
the insolent foe. Since the foregoing news reached us, we have learned that a party 
of seven hundred Lincolnites had crossed Green river at a third point, a place called 
Ashbyburg. We do not wish to excite any needless apprehension by these items of 
news, but only to put our people on their guard and urge them to be prepared against 
any possible surprise from the enemy. 

From the Chronicle of Noi'cmbcr Slh. 

THE HOSPIT.iL. 

Through the praiseworthy e.xertions of the ladies here, the hospital for sick soldiers 
has been established, and is now being conducted on a systematic and effective plan. 
The building known as the college dormitory is used as the hospital, and answers the 
purpose very well for a limited number of sick. The care of the sick is assigned each 
day to certain ladies, whose duty it is to visit them and see that they have proper at- 
tention, that their medicines are administered, and their food properly prepared. We 
are glad to learn that the ladies have gone into this good work with a will and energy 
that will soon work a wonderful change in the condition of the sick. 

Indeed, such change is already apparent in their increased comfort and in their 
rapid convalescence. 



CAPTAIN Sugg's co.mpanv. 
The fine company of infantry raised principally in Districts No. i and 5, under 
our Governor's late proclamation, was in town on Tuesday last and gave us all a most 
gratifying evidence of what old Montgomery can do in the way of volunteer soldiers. 
There are over seventy members of this company, of whom about fifty were in town. 
It is one of the'finest and most effective looking companies that the war has brought 
out — being made uj), almost without exception, of large, robust, genteel men. They 
have been brought, too, to a state of unusual excellence in drill, as their exercises here 
showed. The principal officers of this comjiany are Captain Cyrus A. Sugg and First 
Lieutenant John B. Dortch. 



72 
MORE SOLDIERS. 

\\ithin the past few days a regiment of soldiers arrived here direct from Texas. 
Where they were going doesn't matter. They formed one of the finest-looking bodies 
of troops we have yet seen, and their orderly conduct was marked by every one. 
They were in town two days, and yet we did not see one of them drunk, nor know any 
of them to be guilty of any impropriety, ^^'hile we thus speak of the soldiers, we must 
also record their good opinion of Clarksville. They said that they were better treated 
here than in any place they had been to, and exjjressed a strong desire to be stationed 
here. 

From tlic Chronicle of NoTcmher 2()tli. 

OLD MONTGOMERY. 

Our county has sent about fifteen hundred men into the field of strife, not includ- 
ing those who have volunteered since the late call of her Governor ; her citizens have 
donated .some $60, 000 for the benefit of her soldiery and other military purposes ; she 
has fed, clothed and nursed a large number of soldiers from other places, and is still 
going on in this work, and her noble sons, those who can do so without too much sac- 
rifice, are ready still to volunteer and work in behalf of Southern rights. Our patriotic 
ladies have been at work all the time for our gallant men, and are yet pushing forward 
their work without a murmur. The Soldiers' Relief Society is doing a great deal of 
good, and many a poor soldier will keep the names of the ladies of this society in kind 
remembrance, and many a mother and sister will cherish their memory long after the 
din of battle is hushed. We think we can say of Montgomery, without appearing 
egotistical, "many daughters have done virtuously but thou excelled them all." But 
whilst enumerating but a tithe of what our folks have done, we would simply hint that 
several of Colonel Quarles' Regiment are in the city sick, under charge of Dr. Ussery, 
and the ladies should look after them and see that they are provided for. 



Captain James E. Bailey and his gallant com]iany leaves to-day for Fort Donelson. 
A more noble set of gentlemen are seldom banded together. They carry with them 
the best wishes of the entire communitv. 



CAPIAIN SUGG S COMP.ANV. 

This gallant company of infantry came into town last Monday week, and were 
then fully armed and equipped and proceeded to Fort Donelson the next morning. 
This company was organized in this county, and is comjiosed of the best kind of 
material. They presented a fine appearance whilst drilling on the Public Square, and 
they will " present arms" in such a manner as to make the Yankees turn pale if oppor- 
tunity offers. Success attend Captain Sugg and the brave boys under his command. 
From the Chronicle of December Gth. 

THE FEMALE ACADEMY. 

The Fennle .\cademy, now full of sick soldiers, is the most elegant, convenient, 
and comfortable hospital within the Confederate States. Dr. Lyle, the Surgeon in 



73 
Chief, is said to be a gentleman of ability and large experience, and we are sure that 
the sick will be so treated, in every respect, as to leave them little room to regret the 
absence of relatives and home comforts. The hospital, under the most favorable cir- 
cumstances, is more to be dreaded by the soldier than the battle field, and as sickness 
seems to be the unavoidable concomitant of the camp, humanity, no less than the pub- 
lic interest, demands that nothing should be wanting that can contribute to the speedy 
restoration of its inmates to health and active duty. Every death that might have 
been averted is a public loss, and suffering that might have been alleviated is individual 
cruelty. 

From the Chronicle of December iT,th. 

TESTAMENTS FOR SOLDIERS. 

Rev. W. C. Johnson, agent of the Tennessee Bible Society, presented its claims 
before the congregation of the Methodist Church in this city last Sunday. A collection 
amounting to about $220 was taken up at the church, and was afterwards somewhat 
increased, which the congregation desired should be applied to supplying the sick sol- 
diers in hospital here. Colonel Quarles' Regiment now at the fair grounds, and the 
troops at Fort Donelson, with the New Testament. The congregation of the Presby- 
terian Church in this city had previously sent up a very liberal order for Testaments 
for Colonel Forbes' Regiment. 



GENERAL M. G. GHOLSON. 

The hope that we e.xpressed when Lieutenant-Colonel Gholson resigned his com- 
mission in the Fourteenth Regiment, that the army might soon again have the benefit 
of his services, has been realized in his appointment as Brigadier-General of the Fif- 
teenth Brigade of Tennessee Militia. He has been very active and efficient in bringing 
out troops under Governor Harris' last call. So soon as full reports come in from the 
different counties, the men will rendezvous at Nashville and at Fort Donelson. 



We state, upon reliable authority, that the Fourteenth Regiment Tennessee Vol- 
unteers, has been ordered to Stanton, Va., where it will remain a week or two. Where 
it will go from that point is, of course, not known to outsiders. 
From the Chronicle of December 20th. 
CAPTAIN D. Lynn's company. 
This noble band of patriots left this city last Sunday morning, about four 'o'clock, 
destined for Fort Donelson. The principal officers are: David Lynn, Captain; Rich- 
ard Roberts, First Lieutenant; W. H. Barnett, Second Lieutenant; R. Y. Johnson, 
Third Lieutenant. * 



OUR DEFENSES. 

The Military Board here have issued another urgent call for negroes to work on 
the fortifications in and about Clarksville, and if they are not sent in at once they will 
be impressed. They only require five hundred men for eight days, and certainly it 



74 
seems to us they ought to be furnished. These works are of vast im]i()rtaiice, not to 
this town only but to the entire surrounding country. Let us see by next .Monday t\ill 
Ihe hiindrfd men at work upon them. 

From the Chronicle of January yd, 1862. 

ARMV CURRESPONnKNCK. 

Fort Donf.lson, December 3tst, 1861. — Dear Chronicle: Since my last letter to 
you a considerable change has taken place at this fort. Our cannon have been put in 
better position than they formerly occupied, and our fortifications or breastworks have 
been made larger and stronger, so that it is now impossible for the enemy to ai)|)roa( h 
the fort from any direction without being under a destructive fire from our big guns. 
'I"he work on the fort is now progressing rapidly and will be completed in a very short 
time, and whenever the Yankees pay us a call we will be alile to make them "get over 
double trouble'' faster than they did at Bull Run or Wild Cat. The boys are "spoil- 
ing tor a fight," and are an.xious that they may be indulged in the variety and recrea- 
tion of one fight at least before the winter with its monotonous days settles down upon 
us. Our regiment was organized last week and the following officers were elected: J. 
E. Bailey, Colonel; Alfred Robb, Lieutenant-Colonel; David Lynn, Major. Daniel 
Gould has been appointed Quartermaster, and Billy Poindexter assistant. Lieutenant 
.Atkins has been elected Captain of Company .\ by a unanimous vote. Captain Atkins 
lias by his courteous and gentlemanly bearing and uniform kindness won the esteem of 
every member of his company, and he is eminently qualified to fill the position he now 
occupies. R. .\. Wilson has been elected First Lieutenant, A. F. Smith Second Lieu- 
tenant, and William Burgess Third Lieutenant. George Stacker has been elected 
Colonel over McGavock, and now has command of the regiment. A flag will be pre- 
sented to Colonel Head's regiment on the 8th of January, and we hope some of our 
Clarksville ladies will honor us with their presence on that occasion, as a general invi- 
tation is extended to all. The boat will leave Clarksville on the evening of the 7th for 
this jilace, and will charge only half price the round trip. Who will come? Not wish- 
ing to impose on your valuable space, I will close my epistle by saying our cabins are 
now complete and we are now ready for the cold blasts of winter, and also as many 
Yankees as may have the courage to call upon us. Persons writing to friends in this 
company will direct their letters in care of Captain Atkins, Bailey's regiment, Dover, 
Tennessee. Captain Buckner, of the Fourteenth Regiment, who was killed l>y Dr. 
^Villiams, in Dover, was buried yesterday with military honors. When you come down 
be sure to call at the Shamrock Hotel, No. 9 Beauregard Avenue. .V. 

From the Chronicle 0/ January lot/i. 

COLONEL bailey's REGIMENT. 

The regiment recently formed of companies raised by Captains Bailey, Peacher, 
Lynn and others in this and adjoining counties elected its officers a few days ago at 
Fort Donelson. J. E. Bailey was chosen Colonel, Alfred Robb Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and D. A. Lynn Major. All of these gentlemen are from this county. Mr. T. M. 

Atkins, First Lieutenant, was jiromoted to the Captaincy of Bailey's company. \n- 



75 
other regiment was recently organized at Fort Donelson and the following gentlemen 
were elected its officers : George Stacker, of Stewart county, Colonel ; C. H. Sugg, of 
Montgomery, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and H. C. Lockart, of Stewart, Major. Both of 
these regiments have made choice of excellent officers. Colonel Bailey passed through 
this place a few days ago en route for Richmond on business connected with his com- 
mand, we presume. 

HOSPITAL MATTERS. 

l)r. \V. T. McReynolds, of this city, has been ap])ointed, by Dr. V'andell, some 
two weeks ago, principal physician of the army hospital here, and has since then been 
busy in the prosecution of the duties of th'^' post. He has already instituted many re- 
forms there for the comfort of the sick. He will prove a faithful and efficient officer. 
Mr. William Adams, formerly with W. O. Vance, has been appointed prescription- 
clerk there. On Wednesday there were 24S jiatients in the hosjjital. Their condition 
generally was greatly improved. 



ELECTION OF CAPTAIN. 

We have been told that an election was held last Tuesday for Captain of the cav- 
alry company lately commanded by Captain (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Woodward. 
Lieutenants Darwin Bell and Jo Jones were in nomination, and the former was elected 
by eleven majority. 

J^/vm the Chronicle of Januaty \ith. 

Brigade Camp, near Winchester, Va., December 29, 1861. — Dear Chronicle: 
Now that we have fully satisfied the seeming fickleness of the military authorities, and 
finished the long march from Huntersville to this place, we are allowed a few days rest 
to recruit our lost energies and worn soles. For the last week we have been moving, 
marching and counter-marching with such rapidity that time has not been afforded that 
I might keep you posted concerning our peregrinations. Within the last si.\ weeks we 
have built winter cabins, quitted them and completed a march of 150 miles with that 
cheerfulness which ever characterizes the Tennessee volunteer where there is a chance 
of getting a view of the enemy. We left Huntersville on the loth and arrived here on 
the 26th, having halted about five days on the route. We passed through some beau- 
tiful country, and were everywhere greeted by the ladies and complimented for our 
brave and manly bearing. The wave of a white handkerchief in the hands of a pretty 
woman was something new to the mountain boys of the " whale-bone brigade," and the 
shout we sent up on its first appearance testified the inspiration it communicated and 
our appreciation of the fair ones' greeting. All the troops stood the march very well, 
and to-day the old Fourteenth has more men fit for duty than it has had since it came 
into the State, and is, at least, the left bower of the brigade. Two Virginia regiments, 
the Irish battalion and two batteries accompanied us from the northwest under com- 
mand of Colonel Gillum. ()ur forces around Winchester now number about 13,000; 
liut whether to be employed against Romney or any other place soon, we privates are 



76 
not allowed to know — yet we feel pretty confident of one thing, the tent is to be our 
only cabin this winter. The railroad iron which General Jackson (old "Stone Wall") 
"pressed," is being hauled to Strasburg to complete and repair the road there. The 
General's dam exploit the other day was a complete success, and will materially D.\Mage 
the Yanks, who have doubtless damned the General for the d..\m destruction he com- 
mitted a thousand times ere this. Doubtless you wondered, at the social Christmas 
board, how we were spending the day. I am glad to inform you that, though far from 
the scene of former Christmas holidays, we were not without the invariable morning . 
beverage, nor the cake, even. Egg-nogg was mo4erately plentiful, and mean whisky 
was in abundance — yet do not imagine that any one got drunk, for we were unexpect- 
edly ordered to march soon after breakfast. The bugle calls me to dress-parade, so 
good-bye. Chum. 



A TRIBUTE OF PR.^ISE. 

Where all have done so well as the ladies of this place "have in aid and relief of 
our soldiers, it would scarcely seem proper to discriminate in favor of any one in award- 
ing praise for their good works;" yet there is one whose early constant and uniform 
labors m everything that looked to the comfort of our volunteers, entitle her to a public 
acknowledgement of the value of her services. We allude to Miss Floi;a Kyle. When 
the clothing of the Fourteenth and other regiments w-as undertaken by our people. Miss 
Kyle was among the first to enter into the work, and, day by day, she devoted her 
entire time to it until it was accomplished. When this was done, and hundreds of 
sick soldiers were sent here, she entered just as cheerfully and zealously into the benev- 
olent efforts of the ladies here for their comfort and relief. She shrank from no labor, 
hesitated at no sacrifice, where labor and sacrifice could effect any good to the sick 
and destitute soldier. For some weeks past she has been a regular nurse of the sick in 
our hospital, and all who are there attest her untiring attention and superior excellence 
as such. We mean not to detract, even by inference, from the merits of any one else 
in thus speaking of Miss Flora Kyle. What we say of her will, we believe, be attested 
by all who know her, and many a soldier in the winter bivouac will think of her and 
call her blessed. 

From the Chronicle of January z^th. 

LETTER FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA. 

Brigade Headquarters, Crossing of Bath and Romnev Roads, Va., January 
9, 1862. — Dear Chronicle: By a moderation of the weather and an early halt to-day, I 
am afforded a few moments of time to communicate the important and rapid movements 
which have taken place since the ist inst. On that day we took up the line of march 
from Winchester to Bath, a nice little town five miles this side of the Potomac river, 
where lived Porte Crayon, of Harper notoriety. Our forces embraced General Loring's 
and General Jackson's commands, numbering about 10,000, with twenty pieces of ar- 
tillery. On the evening of the 3rd our advance drove the enemy's pickets into Bath, 
at a cost of three wounded, two of whom have since died. Coming up to this point 



77 
we bivouaced for the night, which, to our discomfort, brought an end to the long spell 
of dry weather by snowing. It was at least novel, if not amusing, to see the boys 
crawling out of their burrows the next morning. But we shook our blankets, packed 
our knapsacks, and were ready for a fight, or something to eat — the latter being de- 
cidedly preferable just at that hour, as we had but little supper the evening before. 
Our baggage wagons coming up at this juncture, we were ordered to prepare breakfast, 
which, when nearly ready, we had to leave and "fall in" for an advance movement. 
This was rather hard, but the order was imperative. The day was quite cold and our 
advance was necessarily slow, having to wait upon the skirmishers. Thus we stood 
••/nrziiig for a fight," but by "marking time" and building fires we kept quite com- 
fortable. When within two miles of Bath the plan of operations was 'commenced, and 
was cautiously being carried out until about three o'clock, when General Jackson was 
informed that the enemy had fled. Our cavalry was then ordered up and went in hot 
pursuit, and we followed at " double-ciuick." Just at Bath our cavalry engaged about 
an equal number of the Yankees, who, after exchanging shots, fled with such rapidity 
that pursuit by our horsemen was seemingly useless — yet the chase was kept up to the 
bank of the Potomac, where our cavalry fell into an ambuscade and had to retreat, 
with three or four wounded. This was about dusk, and the Fourteenth coming up 
shortly, Companies A, B, C, D and E were thrown out on the right andleft as skir- 
mishers. We scoured the woods to the river but found nary Yankee. Several pieces 
were then jjlanted which threw shell and ball into Hancock, which place the Yankees 
seemed determined to hold, for the fire of our batteries was returned, doing no dam- 
age, however. By this time it was near twelve o'clock and we were permitted to retire 
for the night, which your correspondent did on three rails. Sunday morning General 
Jackson sent over a flag of truce, informing the Yankee commanding that he intended 
to bombard the town, and giving the women and children until twelve o'clock to leave. 
At about one o'clock the firing was commenced, but for some reason was not kept up 
long. In the evening Company A was sent out as sharpshooters to protect some bridge 
builders. We exchanged a few shots with the enemy across the river. Night came on 
and brought with it another snow storm, rendering us very uncomfortable. Monday 
morning we again exchanged compliments with the Ohio boys, but hurt no one. The 
enemy shelled our camp during the day, wounding W. H. Frazier, of Company B — 
formerly of Company A. The wound was inflicted by a spent bomb, which did not 
burst, striking him against the forehead and rendering him for a time insensible. We 
are now encamped at a point from which we are liable to be sent to Romney, Martins- 
burg or Winchester, to which latter place the sick, I understand, will be sent to-m.or- 
row. Most all the boys have severe coughs and colds. The road we came from Win- 
chester is the same over which General Braddock made his retreat from Fort Pitt. 
From the Chronicle of January ^is/. 

LETTER FROM WESTERN VIRGINI.\. 

Bricade Headquarters, near Romney, Va., January 19, 1862. — Dear Chron- 
uk : We have completed the last pedestrian feat, much to the gratification of privates 



78 
and other mules. Some obscure individual of the "dark ages" discovered that there 
was a tide in the affairs of men which led "onward." We have certainly gotten into 
that prophetic tide, and a pretty severe one it is I can assure you ; for verily it does 
lead onward, onward, through rain, hail, snow, calm or storm — over ice covered roads, 
mountains, etc. All obstacles are overcome, yet Nature's carriers are more formidable 
than any interposed by Abe the First. You have doubtless heard of the evacuation of 
Romney Ijy the enemy on the 9th. The name of our General certainly possesses some 
terror to the cowardly hearts of Abe's subjects, else they would not have been fright- 
ened away from a stronghold, heretofore the terror of our little army. Romney is 
certainly a stronghold; yet fortified with cannon as it was. the eight thousand cowards 
who held it, had they fought at all, might have rendered it a second Monterey. Vet 
we are gratified to know that "pressing engagements" demanded their departure too 
soon. They left a considerable quantity of commissary stores, oysters, crackers, butter, 
etc. The last named article, we are happy to say, was added to our rations yesterday. 
We could hardly believe our four senses, which testified that it was real good, rich, 
yellow butter. Only think of it : Soldiers enduring the severities of Valley Forge and 
"drawing" butter! Eight miles east of Romney, on the Martinsburg and Winchester 
roads, signs of Yankee destructibility are visible in the chaos of once happy homes. 
Two men and one child, if we may believe the story of a woman living in the neigh- 
borhood, were murdered and then burned in their own houses. Fair women, I have 
heard, did not escape their insults. These stories, and the solemn, lone chimneys, 
called forth from the soldiers, as they passed, "curses, not loud, but deep." Such 
atrocities now and then are specific antidotes, awakening the dreamy valor of lethargic 
patriots. A few more such barbarous acts. General Banks, and the war may be carried 
into Italy, and a flag hoisted the prestige of which shall strike terror to the heart of 
Abe's last ade and abetter. This campaign has been one of no ordinar)' interest or 
achievement. True, the fighting propensities of the boys have not been gratified, 
which might have made it more interesting to them; yet, almost without the firing of a 
gun, we drove the enemy across the Potomac at one point, and by the same movement 
frightened him from an important stronghold and possessed it ourselves. This has 
been done, too, in mid-winter, despite the worst kind of weather, certainly demonstrat- 
ing to the North-landers the Southern salamanders are as imperious to cold as heat. 
Great praise is certainly due to the noble soldiery which have so gallantly stood the 
severities of the campaign and who are yet willing, as a military necessity, to "suffer 
and be still. Yours truly. Chum. 



FRO.M FORT HF.NRV. 

Fort Hknrv, January 25, 1862. — Dear Chronicle : Since my last letter we have 
arrived here, and are now camping in our tents again, and as the weather has been 
very cold for some time, we miss our comfortable cabins very much. Our company 
(A) of Colonel Bailey's Regiment, and one from Colonel Sugg's (formerly Stacker's) 
Regiment, are now encamped here together. Since our arrival we have been furnished 



79 
with side arms, s/tn/rs iiiid shovels, and are now drilling in that manuel. Our boys 
were greatly disappointed at not meeting the enemy here, and now feel that they have 
been badly sold, or taken in — to the ditches — instead of among the enemy. The day 
after our arrival, the gunboat Conestoga chased the steamer Dunbar fourteen miles up 
the river until within sight of the fort, and then fired her seventh shot and ran up 
behind the island, two miles below the fort. She afterwards fired three shots at the 
fort, and meeting no response, she retired with a white flag flying to the breeze. No 
damage was done by her shots, as they all fell short. However, she again made her 
appearance with the stars and stripes flying and opened fire on the fort. As soon as 
the first shot was fired by her the Confederate flag was raised in the fort, and we all 
expected to have a brush with the "Feds," but as soon as we fired one shot, she re- 
sponded with a shell, which burst some yards below the fort, and retired behind the 
Island. Nobody hurt. We are now under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sugg, 
Colonel Stacker having resigned the command of the Fiftieth Regiment. The enemy 
are reported to be fifteen thousand strong at Highland, thirty-five miles below here. 
They were ten miles from here a few days ago, but are now falling back. Little pros- 
pect of a squinnish. C. 
From till' CJironiclc of Fchruarv ith. 

HIliHLY IMPORTANT. 

Passengers who arrived here by boat this morning from Fort Donelson, report that 
Fort Henry was attacked yesterday morning by an overwhelming force of the enemy, 
and after a severe engagement was reduced and abandoned, a portion of the garrison 
falling back to Fort Donelson, and the remainder crossing Tennessee river. After 
possessing the fort, the enemy burned the railroad bridge across Tennessee river. No 
statement of the loss has been received. The report is generally believed, but may be 
exaggerated. An attack on Fort Donelson is expected to-day. 

FLAG PRESENTATION. 

Wednesday was quite a gala day in town in virtue of the ceremony of the presen- 
tation of a fine flag to Colonel Quarles' Regiment, the Forty-Second Tennessee, and 
one to Captain Hubbard's Company of that regiment. The first was made and given 
to the regiment by the Young Ladies' Juvenile Relief Society of this city ; the other was 
the personal gift of Miss Nannie Garland, of own town, in compliment of whom Cap- 
tain Hubbard's Company is named — the "Garland Greys." Before eleven o'clock a 
large concourse of ladies and gentlemen had assembled on the Public Square to witness 
the ceremony, and about twelve o'clock Colonel Quarles' Regiment came into town, 
six or seven hundred strong, and took position on the Square. After some brief evo- 
lutions they opened ranks, and received the ladies composing the society, and the 
interesting ceremonies of the day were entered upon. Hon. G. A. Henry appeared 
upon the portico of the Bank of Tennessee, and taking the regimental flag in his hands 
proceeded to present it formally on behalf of the society. His speech was chaste, for- 
cible, elocjuent — ^just such as he makes. He reviewed briefly the animus that incites 
each party in this contest, the magnitude of the interests involved in the conflict, and 



8o 
the certainty, from all precedent, of our triumi)h, if we shall jirove true to ourselves. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Walton received the flag, in behalf of the regiment, in one of the 
neatest and most appropriate little speeches we ever listened to. This being over, 
the Garland Greys was marched out of the ranks, and Hon. G. A. Henry proceeded 
to present them, on Miss Garland's behalf, the beautiful flag that her fair hands had 
wrought. After a merited compliment to her (and he did not say half enough) he ap- 
pealed to both their gallantry towards woman, and their patriotism towards country, to 
defend that flag till every arm was rigid, and every heart still, in the palsy of death ! 
The flag was received by Captain Hubbard, ort behalf of his company, in a brief but 
pointed^.\nd forcible speech. After a courteous acknowledgment of the compliment 
paid the company, in the gift of the flag, he uttered, for himself and his company, their 
pledge that it should never trail or be dishonored, till the last man of the Garland 
Greys had found his final discharge on the field of battle I These ceremonies were very 
interesting throughout, and when they were concluded, loud calls were made for Col. 
Quarles, but he excused himself, saying that he intended to make no more speeches till 
this war was over, that till then, action, not words, the nvord, not the pen, was the rule 
of his life. After all the speaking was done, the regiment was put through a pretty 
severe course of drill by Colonel McGinnis, which proved of great interest to the 
lookers-on, and then took up the line of march for camp. 

From the ChronU'h of February \\th. 

FROM FORT DONELSON. 

We have kept our paper back some eighteen hours awaiting news from Fort Don- 
elson, knowing the anxiety of our readers to know the issue of the impending fight at 
that point. During nearly all of yesterday heavy firing could be heard here, and every 
one knew that a terrible contest was going on at the fort. Various reports reached us 
during the day, but none that we could trace to any reliable source, until between 
eight and nine o'clock, when the following, addressed to a gentleman in this city, by 
an officer of high position at the fort, came to hand: "Fort Donelson, February 13, 9 
p. m. — We have been fighting all day and maintained our position everywhere, and 
drove back the gun-boats with damage, and repulsed their infantry forces at every point 
where attacked.'" This, our readers may feel assured, is genuine and reliable, and 
embraces all of importance that has come to hand. Nothing is said in this dispatch as 
to our loss, but it is otherwise reported at from twenty-five to forty in killed and 
wounded. In the fight yesterday the enemy had seven gun-boats engaging the fort, 
and a large land force opposed to ours. The fight is said to have been a severe one, 
and the loss of the enemy is estimated at 200 to 250. It is generally believed that the 
fighting will be renewed to-day, but we deem it very doubtful, and even if the enemy 
should renew the attack, we have, we think, but little to fear from them, after the e.\- 
perience of yesterday. We have information that Commodore HoUins, with the ram 
Manassas and thirteen Confederate gun-boats, passed Memphis last Wednesday on his 
way to our relief. If this is true we may expect very soon to see our two rivers swept 
of everv Yankee on them. 



8i 

This was the last issue of the Chroniclk until after the close of the civil war. 
■•Our two rivers" were not swept of the Yankees as had been so confidently predicted, 
Ijut on the contrary in a few days they were swept i^v the Yankees. Fort Uonelson fell 
after a gallant but unavailing resistance. Most of the Clarksville boys were taken 
prisoners and marched off to Camp Douglas and other places of confinement North. 
.Some of them escaped and went South and participated in the great battle of Shiloh 
soon after. It was a bitter pill for the folks at home to swallow-^this occupation of the 
country by the enemy, and the confinement of most of our brave boys in Northern 
prisons — but they had to submit to it, and most of the men did with a fairly good grace. 
They made wry faces and "cu.s.sed'' in secret, but openly many of them were soon 
reasonably loyal subjects and inclined to look upon the war as a mistake. The women, 
however, were made of different stuff. Their hearts were away off with the boys in the 
Northern prisons and in the Southern regiments, and they made no pretense of affec- 
tion or even of decent regard for the authorities that were over them. Lots of bother 
the Yankees had with the rebel girls of Clarksville. They would smile and look glad 
when good news came from the South. They ivoiild find out whenever a poor rebel 
was hid over in the coalings on the Southside of the river and smuggle all sorts of use- 
ful things to him. One young lady of high standing rode out of town one morning to 
see a friend over the river. She went to headquarters and got a permit from the 
Colonel. When she reached her destination they had to take her down from her horse 
and carry her into the house, for she was unable to walk. ' ' The friend " she had come 
to see turned out to be an old reb who was hid out in the bushes, and she had brought 
along a few things for his comfort. She had on a pair of heavy cavalry boots about 
three feet long, and large enough almost for her to crawl in. She wore several pounds 
of powder around her waist as a bustle. The number of pairs of socks and yards of 
flannel she had tucked about her in divers places would have been sufficient to start a 
country store. Some one published recently an interesting sketch of the "Clarksville 
hoys" during the war. This was good; but wait until the impartial historian writes up 
the Clarksville girls, and we shall have something worth reading. The Clarksville 
lioys, however, did their duty. Some of them are useful men now here in our midst. 
< )thers who went out at their country's call returned not again. 

"On fame's eternal camping ground, their silent tents are spread, 
.■\nd glory guards with solemn round, the bivouac of the dead." 

k detailed sketch of Company .A, Forty-Ninth Tennessee Regiment, is furnished 
■•Picturesque Clarksville" by Polk G. Johnson; 

I have felt that it might be of local interest that I should record the names of Com- 
|jany .\, Forty-Ninth Tennes.see Regiment, raised in our own. town and sent to battle 
under the command of James E. Bailey, at the call of the (iovernor and the urgent 
solicitation of all of our citizens, and something of their military record. Twenty-si.x 
years will have passed away next December, when as fine a company of one hundred 
and twenty men as was ever organized left Clarksville for Fort Donelson and engaged 
in a long war of four years. It was composed of the best young men of Clarksville. 



82 

It lost, killed in battle, sixteen; died in the service, nineteen, making the total death^ 
thirty-five. It is my purpose simply to record the names of the company in fiili, the 
names of those killed in battle, of those who died in the service, of those who were 
wounded, and of those who were ])romoted. 



FUlJ. ROl.l. OF THE COMPANY. 



.1. E. Hailey, Oaptuin. 
T. M. Atkins, First Lieut(>nant. 
R. A. Wilson, Second Lieutenant. 
W. H. Burgess, Third Lieutenant. 
.\. F. Smith, First Sergeant. 
John B. Johnson, Second Sergeant. 
Roliert Bringlnirst, Third Sergeant. 



DiiiUe, K. >i. 
Kininiser, W. I>. 
Edlin. .r. B. 
Klliiftt. (jeorge. 
1-erkin, .1. W. 
iMiil.'v. Tiiomas. 
Kli'li-lH-r, .1. K. 
Kai-li'V, J. T. " 



AtUill 


|S:> 


n, q,. 1.:. 


\Ilili-l 


rsn 


11, .1. r. 


liil.-l;. 


M. 


K. 


|{ili-k. 
I!il,-k, 


.r. 


. w. 

M. 


H-ain 




n't. Kii't. 


l!ni..ii 


ml 


ink. 
.1. \V. 
■•M, J. 11 



L. W. Bourne, Fourth Sergeant. 
M. W. Wisdom, Fifth Sergeant. 
Stephen Pettus, First Corporal. 
Wm. Adwell, Second Corporal. 
('. H. Ricou, Third CorporaL 
Wm. McKeage, Fourtli Corporal. 



Peter, Paris. 
P.iweil. W. H. 
I^iinilexter. \V. H 
Kii-'s-'ilis, Cave. I. 
Hol.li. .Mfred. 



Markliii, 11. c. 



liiii 



Me 



Alfreil. 



K. 



...|„-,-, W. I 
)Ullel-. riui 
ark, .lamei 
iracll, W. . 
arii. Cave, 
lisealiall. I 
)ok,s. K. 
i>l'iii, .lolin 
mis. .lame 



.1. ('. Anderson. Fori Dune 
Hubert liriii'tluirst, Krank 
Fletelier Beanniont, Miss', 
.vjoiilioinerv Bell Krankl 
s. R. i;oi>ke, Franklin. 
iJeorgc Klliolt, Nashville. 



C.ild, Daniel. 


Mell.oi. Uol.en. 


<i<ilil. [.. T. 


.Mellon. .I.ihn. 


(irinirs. (iranville. 


.Mans.in, Walker. 


Iluleliinscn. .1. .\. 


.MeClinlock, .loiiu 


Haskins, K, .1. 


N re, c. P. 


Haeknev.s. 


Mnnford, VV. M. 


Harri.s, \Vin. 


Meiihee, lleiijanii 


Harris, .[,)lMi. 


Nelilett, W. H. 


Harris Rohert, 


Neal. R. 11. 


Hil)lis, Watson. 


or-ain. Win. M. 


Heatherington, F. K. 


<lri;aiii,.Ioliii. 


Harsrave. W.T. 


• iriiaiii, U. D. 


Helm,.!, w. 


o-lesliv, .r. W. 


H.iskiTis. .1. i;. 


O'Brien. .John. 


Hallida.v, !!.(;. 


Prenilersast, .1. I,. 


.lolinson, Polk (i. 


Poole. Kohert. 


Jarrell. .J.S. 


I'ears.in, Thomas. 



Triee, W. N. 
Tavlor. .lohii. 
Viek, Nathan. 
Wells. .lames. 
Wallhal. r. W. 
White, 11. F. 
\\althal. Albert. 
Waller, B. «. 
Williams, U. S. 
Wilco.x, Polk. 



KILLED IN B.Arn.F. 

.lohn T. Farley, Fort Doiiel.son. Wm. B. Munford. Franklin 

R. l. (ioostree, l.iek skillet Road, .\lfred Rol.h, Fort Dmielson 

.\tlaiita. Nathan Viek, Franklin. 

.1. s. Jarrell, Fi-anklin. Polk Wileox. Franklin. 

.Matt Legsett, Lick Skillet Road, R. T. Coulter, Franklin. 

.\tlanta. R. 'i. Hallida.v, Franklin. 



t;. H. Ricou, Port Hudson, La . 

.Inly IS, IWi.f. 
B. F. Buck, captured at Kenne- 

saw .Mountain ; died in prison. 
Krank Bell, place of his death uu 

known. 
.1. D. Booth, Pore ;Hud.son, La. 

.Iuly2.5, lSii2. 
.Fohn P. Daini'on, Fort Douelson. 

.lanuary 7, 18«2. 
Rohert .1. Haskins, Chicago, in 

prison, September.'). ISii'i. 



DIED IN THE SERVICE. 

Stephen Hackney, at Chicago, in .J. W. Helm, at Port Hudson, La.. 

prison, March », 1862. February 9, 18IW. 

Wm. Harris, at home, February, G. W. Leigh, Jr., Atlanta. CJa., July. 

18«'2. IKW. 

John Harris, at home, Februar.v, John W. McClintoek, MLssissiiipi 

lSfi2. just before close of war. 

Rohert Harris, at home, February, John Orgain, time and place uoi 

WiK. known. 

F. F. Heatherington, at Clinton, B.D. Orgain, Camp Douglass, Mai ih 

Miss,, October 16, 186-.'. H. I8t?2. 

James Harris, at home, February, B. F. White, Camp Dougl.as, Sep 

1862. tember IS, 1863. 

James .V. Hutchinson, April, 1862. 



WOUNDED IN BATTLE. 



Lewis K. Clark, Jonesboro, Ha. Polk C 
Wm. c;. (Jooper, Franklin. Charlo 

W. D.Eminiser, Keniiesaw Moun- and i 

tain. Walk. 

John B. Edlin, Kennesaw Moun- Cliarh' 

tain. 



Hoskins. .lackson. Mi 



. .Johnson, .\tl.anta. Robert Poole, Atlanta. 

; Loftlaud, Fort Donelson Lewis T. Ciold, Franklin. 

;|iiloli. Charles Shaiiklin, Atlanta. 

■ .Maiisoii, Franklin. Thomas H. Smith. Franklin. 

; P Moore, .\tlanta. O. R. Smith Atlanta. 

.. Peinicrgast, four times, ,V. F. Smith, North Carolina. 



mkli 



John Taylo 



rt \y 



elson. 



S3 

I'ROMDTIONS. 

.Janu's K. HaiU'V. lu Oiloiiel of A. F. Smith, ti> I.ieiiteilii 

regiment, Companv and ti> stall ot 

Thoiiias M. Atkins, to Lieutenant eral Waltliiill. i •miipany (i. 

Colonel of regiment. R, T. i oulter, to Captain of Com- .lr)lin i,. I'rindcrgast, to Captain of 

Robert A. Wilson, to Captain of pany (i of regiment. Tcnl li T.-nnessee. 

Company. Lewis R. Clarlt, to Captain in tlie Koi.. ii r.ioi,.. to Lieutenant in the 

.loiiM li. .Jolinson, to Captain and Tenth Tennessee. I liirtiitli Tennessee. 

eommissarv. Tenth Tenne.ssee. Ciiailes R. Cmiper, to Lieutenant W. 1;. I'..iiidi'xler, to Captnin and 
lioliert Bringhurst, to Adjutant of company. t^iiiriir-Master of regiment. 

of regiment. George Klliott, to Lieutenant of Allnil Kohh, to Lieutenant Col. of 

Kletclirr i;i;iinniint, to .-Vdjutant l-'ompany II of llie regiment. regiment. 

Kifii. Ill jriiiK vs,-,-. R. C. Uooslree, to l,ientenanl, Tliomas H. Smith, to (Captain of 

Charl. > II. i;;iii, \. tc. Cai:tain and Polk G. J<)hn.«on. to Lieutenant Company H of regiment. 

eominissnrv of regiment. and A. I). ('., (Jeneial Quarles. John O'Brien, to Ordnance Otflcer 



h'.iri Donelson, Kel)ruarv iL'tli to Port Hudson. La., March Hth, 18B3. Franklin, Tenu., November ROth 

liith, IXO.'. Keniiesaw .Mountain, <ja., June 18(i4. 

Jai:l<Mm. .Mi.ss., July lOtli to Kith, jstli, IMH. Ntushville Tenn., December IBth, 

1SS3. ■ Smvrna Depot, (ia., July 4th, I8«4. INW. 

New Hope Church, (ja.. May 27th, Pcacli-tne (reek, Atlanta, Ua., South of Lynnville, December24th, 

1H«4. July ailli, 1X()4. 1HI)4. 

Pine Mountain, (ia., June 15th, Liik Skillet Road, Atlanta, July Anthony's Hill. 

18(i4. 2Sth, Wil. Sugar Creek, 

iientouville, N. C, March 19th, (SK. 

At the battle of Fort Donelson the company was captured and sent to prison at 
Chicago, 111., where they remained seven months. Were exchanged at Vicksburg, 
Miss., September 17th, 1862. The company was organized at Clarksville, November 
29th, r86i, with one hundred and twenty men. As will appear above, lost, killed in 
battle, sixteen; died in the service, nineteen; total deaths, thirty-five; wounded in 
battle, eighteen; iiromotion from company, twenty-two. It was surrendered with 
C.encral Johnston's army in North Carolina in May, 1865. 

Bric,adier-Gknf.ral William McComb. 

The following sketch of Brigadier-(;eneral William McComb, another Clarksville 
boy, is worthy of insertion here: "Brigadier-General William McComb was born in 
Mercer county, Penn., November 21st, 1832. He came to Tennessee in 1854, and 
from that time until the beginning of the war was engaged in developing the manufac- 
turing interest of Southern Kentucky and Tennessee. He came to Clarksville among 
strangers, and confined him.self so closely to the business in which he was engaged that 
his acquaintance was not large, but he was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He 
never engaged in jiolitics, and hence had no influential politicians to urge h's advance- 
ment. Nevertheless he was a patriot and ever ready to serve his country. When the 
first call for troo])s was made by Governor Harris to defend the South, he promptly 
responded, joining as a private soldier Captain Ed. Hewitt's Company, of the Fourteenth 
Tennessee Infantry (Forbes' Regiment). His military record is remarkable. A jirivate 
soldier, without strong and influential friends or relations, and a Northern man h\ 
birth, he was elevated to the rank of Brigadier-General to command two of the finesi 
brigades ever connected with any army (.Archer's and Bushrod's Johnson's). He woi: 
this position by gallantry on the field of battle, and did it step by step, as follows: I:i 



■^4 
May, 1861, he was elected Second Lieutenant of his (ompany : in ( )(_ tolier. 1S61, was 
appointed First Lieutenant and .\iiiutent of his regiment by Colonel W'm. A. Forbes; 
was elected Major of his regiment at XHrktown, in 1862: was promoted to Lieutenant- 
Colonel after the death of Lieutenant Colonel (Jeorge A. Harrell, who was killed at the 
battle of Cedar Run; was promoted to Colonel u[)on the death of Colonel Wni. A. 
Forbes, who was killed at the Second battle of Manassas; was appointed Brigadier- 
Ceneral by President Davis and confirmed b\ the Senate in December, 1864, and 
assigned to the command of the two brigades above mentioned, and ordered to report 
to Major-(ieneral Heth. He continued in command of the same until the close of the 
war, surrendering with (General Lee at A ppomatox Court House. He was wounded 
three times during the war; first at (lainess Mill, second at Sharpsburg, September 
17th, 1862, very severely, and lastly at Chancellorsville, May 3rd, 1863, very severely. 
He was in the following battles : Williamsburg, West Point, Seven Pines, Mechanics- 
ville, Gaines' Mill, Frazer"s Farm, \Lahern Hill, Harrison's Landing, Har|)er's Ferry. 
Sharpsburg. Chancellorsville, Wilderness. Spotsylvania, .\ndersons. Squirrel Level 
Road. Cold Harljor. and Petersburg. He was also in the man)' skirmishes in whii li 
his command was engaged. He went to the Army ot Virginia early in the war, and 
was with his command in all the engagements and skirmishes from Cheat Mountain to 
.Appomatox. During 1866 he was engaged in raising cotton in Alabama. In 1867 
and 1868 was Superintendent of the .Mississippi and Alabama Turpentine Company, 
located at Pascagoula, Miss. Since 1.S69 he has been engaged in farming in Louisa 
county, \'a., and his postoffice is ( ior(l(jiis\ille, \'a." 

CoMP.\NV E, Fii-riKrH Thnnksskk RF.(nMF,.\r. 



Cyrus .\. Suiifi-, Captain. 
Joiiu 15. Dortch, F'irst Liinitcnant. 
.foel K. Riittin, Second Litnitenant. 
Chark's W. Tyler, Third Lieutenant, 
.lolin L. W. Power, First Serjeant. 
Koliert Sorv, Second Sergeant. 



B. I!. Kirby, Third Seriieant. 
G. \V. Wartield, Fourth Sergeant. 
J. S. Dunn, First Corporal. 
(Tcorsc Flowers, Second Corporal. 
Thomas K. ^lallory. Third Corj)oral. 
T. J. ^Vilams, Fonrtli Corporal. 



Allan. s. K.T. 


Clavinger, 1). <;. 


Hyrunomus, F;d. 


Ogg, Robert. 


Adams, !••. N. 


Davis, H. W. 


Holt. E. C W. 


Priee, c. 1). 


Adams, (iciirsL-. 


Dick, W. S. 


Isbetl. .J. <;, 


Proetor, J. R. 


Adams, (ic.rjiC Kellh. 


■n. Donnithy, P. il. 


.laeUsoli. W .\. 


Potts, J. H. 


Adams. H. S. 


Dudlev, W. li. 


.liter, Robert. 


Quails, c. t,. 


Adams, (icorKc- (^nin. 


■y. Oudle.v, W. A. 


.lolinson, Koberl. 


Quails. R. (J. I. 


l!.is;\vi'U, W. M. 


Dunn, S. S. 


.Iijlmson, James T. 


Reed, P. I.. 


lii'iinrtt. W. A. 


Edwards, .Johnathan. 


Johnson, M. f. 


Rutherford, H. ( . 


lialdwin,.!. W. 


Fields. R. E. 


Kennedy, J. F. 


Roaeh. R. .M. 


Il..nrnc, Wiley. 


Fry, W. H. 


l^awrence, J. (s. 


Sherrod, W. R. 


linntim;, T. W. 


Franklin, Robort. 


l.yle, A. P. 


.Shanklin, H. I,. 


I!iiisi-au, W. H. 


Uill, C. H. 


.McCauley, George B. 


Seay, W. R. 


Ii<.is,-an. K.C. 


Oaines, James K. 


Mallorv, (ieorge S. 


Tate, J. W. 


i;ro« n, Bailey. 


(ioodman. C. t". 


Marshal, J. B. 


Tate. J. I,. 


lii-nlon, .John <;. 


lirizard. W. H. 


Meail, Maberrv. 


Triee. W. 11. 


Carney, (i. W. 


liunn, J. W. 


.Morrison. E. s. 


Tate, W. H. 


Carney, .1. W. 


Harris. T. H. 


Mnir, J. K. 


Tubbs. W. .\. u. 


1 arney. X. B. 


Harris, W. M. 


.MeRc.vnolds. Robert. 


Walthal, VV. H. 


Cannon, T. P. 


Harris. A. 


-Moon. I;.,h,.rt. 


Watts, N. r.. 


childs, W. H. 


Hitt, M. G. 


M ^..101,0 11. 


Wil.son, H. C. 


C'ooksev, K. N. 


Hornlierger, «'. K. 


Newnran, .Mcllenrv. 


Wilson, H. H. 


c.ioksey. .1. W. 


Hornberser, (i. K. 


.Neblett.T. J. 


Willouahbv. J. H, 


cnink..!. 11. 


Hyman. E. .1. 


N.irthington.T. K. 





LbMr3Q 



